Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey has urged “humanity” after a gunman opened fire during Mass at Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday (27 August), killing two children and injuring 17 others.
The attacker, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, reportedly used a rifle, shotgun, and pistol — all legally obtained — to shoot through church windows before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police said the victims included 14 children, all expected to survive their injuries.
Court documents reviewed by multiple outlets show that Westman legally changed their name in 2019 from Robert to Robin, stating they “identify as female and want their name to reflect that identification.” FBI director Kash Patel referred to Westman as “male born” in an official post, prompting a surge of transphobic online commentary.
Mayor Frey condemned that backlash:
“I have heard about a whole lot of hate that’s being directed at our trans community. Anybody who is using this as an opportunity to villainise our trans community, or any other community out there, has lost their sense of common humanity.”
Terror probe launched
FBI officials confirmed they are investigating the shooting as a possible act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics. Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara described the attack as “a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping.”
Reports suggest Westman had posted disturbing writings online that praised mass killers and included possible attack plans.
“This kind of evil should never happen,” Mayor Frey said at a press briefing. “Children are dead. There are families that have a deceased child … These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church.”
National response
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he had been “fully briefed” and urged Americans to “please join me in praying for everyone involved.” The White House ordered flags flown at half-mast in tribute to the victims.
