Update to original story in bold below. Added August 27, 2025, at 1:45 pm:

The shooter was reportedly 23-year-old Robin Westman, who had a name change in 2020, according to KSTP. The Dallas Express obtained court documents, suggesting Westman – originally named Robert – was “transgender,” and identified as female. His name was legally changed in January 2020, while he was still a minor.

“Minor child identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification,” reads the order granting the name change.

Westman apparently posted a video on social media prior to the shooting with disturbing laughter, showing his likely manifesto, guns, and ammunition. They bear disturbing messages, including “Kill Donald Trump” and “Where is your God?”

The apparent manifesto includes apologies to family members and a sketch of the church’s layout. It reads, “I don’t want to kneel down for the injustices of this world.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE DALLAS EXPRESS APP

*** 

A mass shooter targeted a Catholic school in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning, killing two children and injuring 17.

A man in black approached Annunciation Catholic Church the morning of August 27 – then fired rounds through the windows, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara announced in a press conference. The shooter killed two students, ages 8 and 10, and injured 17 others.

“Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their children,” O’Hara said. “We will stand together to protect our children, our schools, and our houses of worship.”

Annunciation Catholic School hosts students from kindergarten to 8th grade, who returned for the school year on Monday. 

They were holding a back-to-school mass when the shooter, a man in his early 20s, approached around 8:30 a.m., according to O’Hara. According to unconfirmed reports, the alleged shooter has been identified as Robin Westman, reportedly a “trans” individual, adding to the latest string of “trans” terror.

Westman allegedly posted a manifesto on social media prior to the shooting, including a video showing the words “kill Donald Trump” written on a gun.

“During the mass, a gunman approached on the outside of the side of the building, and began firing a rifle through the church windows, toward the children sitting in the pews,” he said. “He struck children and worshipers that were inside.”

Officers with the Minneapolis Police Department “immediately responded,” and entered the church, where they provided first aid and rescued children hiding throughout the building, according to O’Hara. The shooter ultimately shot and killed himself. 

EMS requested a “mass casualty” response, and fire crews brought “additional resources” to the scene, according to the nearby Richfield Police Department. 

The shooter used a rifle, shotgun, and a pistol, according to O’Hara. He also had a smoke bomb and barricaded several church doors from the outside.

“This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping,” he said. “The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible.”

FBI Director Kash Patel said at 9:45 a.m. that FBI agents were on the scene.

“We are aware of reports of a shooting at a Catholic school in Minnesota,” he posted to X. “FBI agents are on scene, and we ask everyone to keep potential victims, civilians or law enforcement in harm’s way in your prayers.”

Minneapolis police said there is “no active threat to the community,” and told members of the public to avoid the area so first responders can “help victims.” Families of children were told to visit the “reunification zone” at the Annunciation school.

Investigators were searching for a motive in the “information left behind,” including the suspect’s vehicle left in the parking lot, according to O’Hara.

“We will be conducting other searches,” he said.

In the press conference, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the victims should be able to go to school or church in peace without fear of violence.

“There are no words that can capture the horror and evil of this unspeakable act. Children are dead,” he said. “Every one of us needs to be wrapping our arms around these families, giving them every ounce that we can muster. These were Minneapolis families, these were American families.”

President Donald Trump said he was “fully briefed” on the situation.

“The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation,” he posted. “Please join me in praying for everyone involved.”