Robin M. Westman, aged 23, was born on June 17, 2002 .
Assigned male at birth as Robert Westman, the name change to Robin was legally processed in 2019–2020 because Westman “identifies as a female
Westman attended Annunciation Catholic School, graduating eighth grade in 2017; their mother, Mary Grace Westman, served as a parish secretary at the same school until retiring in 2021
High school years were turbulent. Westman briefly attended a Minnesota Transitions Charter School and later St. Thomas Academy but did not stay long at either. They ultimately graduated from Southwest High School in 2021
Westman also worked for a time at a Rise medical cannabis dispensary under Green Thumb Industries, though their tenure was short-lived
Westman opened fire through the stained-glass windows of the church during a children’s Mass at Annunciation Catholic School. Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed. Seventeen others—including 14 children and three elderly parishioners—were wounded
Armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol—purchased legally—Westman fired approximately 116 rounds before dying by suicide at the scene
Authorities are investigating the incident as domestic terrorism and an anti-Catholic hate crime due to anti-religious expressions found in the manifesto and on the weapons .
Westman uploaded a pair of YouTube videos just prior to the shooting. These showed handwritten notebooks, weapon stockpiles, and a church layout stabbed with a knife .
The writings, partially in Cyrillic mixed with English, expressed suicidal ideation, violent fantasies, grievances, and admiration for past mass shooters (e.g., Adam Lanza) .
Weapons bore hateful messages—anti-Semitic, anti-Catholic, anti-India slogans (e.g., “Nuke India,” “Israel must fall”), hate against political figures (“Kill Trump”), and Holocaust denial (“6 million wasn’t enough”) .
Westman described profound mental and emotional distress, stating suicidal thoughts and depression. The manifesto hinted at a twisted longing for notoriety: “I have wanted this for so long,” while presenting the attack as a final act of personal significance .
Fragmented statements revealed internal conflict about gender identity. One entry read: “I know I am not a woman but I definitely don’t feel like a man,” signaling deep confusion . Another mentioned regret over transitioning: “I’m tired of being trans, I wish I never brain-washed myself
Investigations continue into motive, with FBI treating the event as both domestic terrorism and a hate crime .
Officials emphasized that Westman’s actions stemmed from personal pathology rather than political ideology or broader movement affiliation .
The attack reignited debates on gun control, mental health, and how gender identity is politicized. Some conservative figures pointed to Westman’s transgender identity in discussions of mass violence, despite data showing such cases are extremely rare .
RFK Jr. sparked controversy by announcing an investigation into whether psychiatric medications used during gender transition played a role—though this remains speculative and contentious
Robin Westman’s case is a deeply unsettling convergence of personal anguish, ideological hatred, and premeditated violence. From childhood identity struggles and school transitions to foreboding online manifestos and the deadly church attack, the trajectory reflects a troubled and fragmented psyche. While investigations continue to uncover motives and influences, the incident underscores the tragic outcomes of untreated mental health issues, extremist fixation, and societal polarization.
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