A transgender, ‘Robin Westman’, has been identified as the school shooter at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the United States.
Westman, a 23-year-old transgender, carried out the deadly attack at the Catholic school during a morning Mass.
S/he had opened fire through the church windows, killing two children and injuring 17 others, including 14 children, before dying by suicide.
Hours before the attack, s/he had posted a manifesto on YouTube, showcasing his obsession with mass shooters and hatred for Christians and Donald Trump.
S/he had “Kill Donald Trump” and “For the Children” scrawled on his gun magazines and posted same on YouTube.
The manifesto
Shortly before opening fire at the Annunciation Catholic School, Westman had written a manifesto.
According to multiple sources, the manifesto, written partly in Russian and English, revealed Westman’s deranged thoughts.
Some of his weird thoughts include admiration for the Sandy Hook massacre and fantasies about slaughtering children.
He also expressed regret over transitioning to a transgender, stating: “I wish I never brain-washed myself”.
Authorities say they are investigating whether Westman acted alone and if his online posts were connected to the attack.
Westman’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, worked at the Annunciation school until 2021, which might be a factor in his targeting the school.
Two children, aged 8 and 10, died in the attack, while 17 others were injured. Westman took his own life at the scene.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and raised concerns about gun violence, extremism, and mental health.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) learnt that hours before the attack, Westman reportedly posted disturbing videos online, showcasing weapons with messages like “Kill Donald Trump,” “Nuke India,” and “Where is your God?” scrawled on magazines and firearms.
The videos also included a manifesto expressing admiration for past mass shooters and hateful rhetoric targeting various groups.
Authorities also said they are investigating the incident as a potential hate crime and act of domestic terrorism.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, meanwhile, urged that the tragedy should not be used to vilify the transgender community.
Mayor Frey asked Americans to focus on the victims and avoid spreading hate.
Overview of the Annunciation School Shooting Tragedy
Manifesto and Hate Speech Analysis
Authorities have confirmed Westman’s disturbing manifesto, and a series of videos timed to coincide with Annunciation attack.
These materials included:
- Admiration for Past Mass Shooters:
Westman referenced several notorious figures, including Anders Behring Breivik (Norway, 2011), Adam Lanza (Sandy Hook, 2012), Brenton Tarrant (Christchurch, 2019), and Natalie Rupnow (Madison, 2024). - Antisemitic and Racist Messages:
Weapons were inscribed with phrases like “6 million wasn’t enough,” “Burn Israel,” and “Israel must fall,” alongside racial slurs and anti-Muslim rhetoric. - Political Hate Speech:
Multiple firearms bore threats against Donald Trump, including “Kill Trump Now!” and “Kill Donald Trump RIP & TEAR”. - Extremist Symbolism:
The manifesto and weapon decorations echoed themes from alt-right meme culture and extremist forums, blending nihilism, hate, and glorification of violence. - Mental Health and Isolation:
Some clips revealed Westman’s struggles with depression and suicidal ideation, though no coherent motive was presented.
Law enforcement agencies and online platforms are being inundated with the urgent need to bring this kind of digital radicalization under reasonable control.
