Quick Summary
- Two students were killed in a school shooting in Minneapolis.
- Shooter Robin Westman, 23, left disturbing anti-Trump, anti-Israel, and anti-India slogans on weapons.
- Videos on a now-deleted YouTube channel showed weapons, journals in Cyrillic, and an apology letter.
- President Trump ordered flags at half-staff; officials say Westman acted alone.
- It was the 146th U.S. school shooting in 2025.
What Happened in Minneapolis
Two students were killed on Wednesday when a 23-year-old opened fire during a church service at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. The suspect, identified as Robin Westman, used a rifle, shotgun, and pistol to fire dozens of rounds before being found dead in the school’s parking lot from what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Officials confirmed Westman acted alone and had legally purchased the firearms.
Disturbing Messages Found on Weapons
Authorities revealed that Westman had scrawled several alarming messages on magazines and weapons, including:
- “Kill Donald Trump”
- “Nuke India”
- “Israel must fall” and “Burn Israel”
- “For the children” and “Where is your God?”
Some inscriptions were written in Cyrillic script, alongside names of previous school shooters.
Videos posted to a now-deleted YouTube channel titled “Robin W” appeared to show Westman displaying a cache of weapons, ammunition, and journals. In one video, Westman pointed to a smaller firearm and remarked, “This one is for me. In case I need it.” The footage also included an apology letter addressed to family members.
The second video showed two journals, one over 150 pages long and another more than 60 pages long, both written entirely in Cyrillic. The last dated entry was August 21, 2025.
Officials Confirm Authenticity
U.S. Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the authenticity of the videos, writing on X that the “deeply sick murderer scrawled” phrases such as “For the Children,” “Where is your God?” and “Kill Donald Trump” on weapon magazines.
“This level of violence is unthinkable,” Noem said.
National Response
President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff nationwide in mourning for the victims.
The Annunciation Catholic School shooting marks the 146th school-related shooting incident in the U.S. since January, underscoring a devastating trend of gun violence in schools.
What We Know About the Suspect
- Identity: Court records show Westman legally changed their name from Robert to Robin in 2020, after identifying as female.
- History: No prior criminal record.
- Weapons: All three firearms were legally purchased.
- Motive: Still under investigation. Authorities have not yet determined whether the writings on the weapons signal a coherent ideology or a mix of grievances and personal instability.
Why It Matters
The shooting highlights several pressing concerns:
- School safety: Despite extensive security measures, U.S. schools remain vulnerable to armed attacks.
- Political violence: The inclusion of anti-Trump and anti-Israel slogans raises questions about politically motivated rhetoric intersecting with acts of mass violence.
- Global implications: References to “Nuke India” and writings in Cyrillic may point to influences beyond U.S. borders, though investigators have not confirmed any foreign ties.
