Tragedy struck Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis Wednesday morning when Robin Westman opened fire during a morning service, leaving two children dead and 18 others injured, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
The suspect was armed with heavy artillery, including a Taurus semi-automatic pistol, a Mossberg shotgun, and a semi-automatic rifle, while wearing tactical body armor. Authorities say the shooting targeted both adults and children praying in the church pews.
Victims included 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, whose lives were tragically cut short in the attack.
Weaponry and Rampage Details
Police reports indicate that Westman fired 116 rifle rounds and 3 shotgun shells, leaving four empty rifle magazines at the scene. Additional 9mm magazines were recovered, along with one live round found in the Taurus pistol, which reportedly malfunctioned during the attack.
The shooter ultimately took their own life on site.
Disturbing Manifesto and Threats
Court documents also reveal Westman penned a manifesto expressing admiration for previous school shooters. Disturbingly, the writings included threats against former President Donald Trump and contained racist and antisemitic remarks inscribed on gun cartridges.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Westman is “a male born as Robert Westman.”
Court records show that in 2019, Westman’s mother filed to legally change Robert’s name to Robin, reflecting Westman’s female gender identity. A judge approved the change, noting Westman “identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.”
Community Shock and Response
The shooting has left Minneapolis shaken. Families, parishioners, and schoolchildren are grappling with the horror of a peaceful church service being turned into a scene of violence.
Authorities continue to investigate Westman’s background and motives, while community leaders have called for increased vigilance and resources to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The attack underscores ongoing concerns about gun access, mental health, and extremist ideologies, raising questions about how such tragedies can be prevented.
Takeaway
As Minneapolis mourns, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and support victims and families. Westman’s actions are a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of armed violence in public spaces, particularly those meant to be safe havens like churches.
Stay tuned to The Pop Radar (TPR) for continuing coverage and updates on the Minneapolis church shooting. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.