Minneapolis, MN — Federal authorities have shared new details about the motive behind Wednesday’s mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, where two children were killed and 18 others injured. Officials say the shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, left behind writings filled with indiscriminate hate and an obsession with killing children.
Shooter’s Writings Show “Pure Hate”
At a Thursday press conference, Joseph Thompson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, said investigators are analyzing “hundreds of pages of writings” believed to have been created by Westman.
“The shooter expressed hate towards almost every group imaginable,” Thompson said. “The shooter expressed hate towards Black people. The shooter expressed hate towards Mexican people. The shooter expressed hate towards Christian people. The shooter expressed hate towards Jewish people. In short, the shooter appeared to hate all of us. The shooter’s heart was full of hate.”
Authorities also revealed that Westman was specifically obsessed with harming children.
“The shooter saw the attack as a way to target our most vulnerable among us while they were at their most vulnerable at school and at church,” Thompson explained.
Key Facts from the Attack
- Date & Location: Wednesday morning, August 27, at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.
- Casualties: 2 children killed, 18 others injured (15 students, 3 adults).
- Shooter: 23-year-old Robin Westman, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the school church parking lot.
- Background: Westman’s mother previously worked at the K-8 Catholic school.
- Investigation: Police have recovered hundreds of pieces of evidence and are reviewing extensive writings.
Disturbing Obsession with Past Shootings
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the suspect’s writings as “very disturbing,” adding that Westman appeared to idolize past attackers.
“This is an individual who, unfortunately like so many other mass shooters that we have seen in this country too often and around the world, had some deranged fascination with previous mass shootings,” O’Hara said. “The shooter fantasized about the plans of other mass shooters and wanted to carry out a mass shooting in order to obtain notoriety.”
According to People, investigators believe notoriety was a key motivating factor behind Westman’s plan.
Survivors and Recovery
Authorities confirmed that all of the hospitalized children are expected to survive, despite the severe nature of some injuries. The quick response of first responders and medical staff played a critical role in preventing further loss of life.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the shooting “unspeakable,” emphasizing the community’s grief and shock.
“There are no words that can capture the horror of this unspeakable act,” Frey told reporters. “Children are dead.”
A Community in Mourning
The mass shooting has left Minneapolis grappling with grief and questions about how such violence could target a school and church. Leaders have promised full transparency in the investigation, while residents continue to hold vigils and offer support to the victims’ families.
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