Authorities have identified the suspected gunman responsible for the tragic mass shooting that took place during a Wednesday morning service at a Minneapolis church. According to multiple news organizations, police believe the shooter was 23-year-old Robin Westman of Richfield, who acted alone in the deadly attack.
The incident occurred at Church of the Annunciation, where Westman reportedly targeted students from the neighboring Annunciation Catholic School. Law enforcement officials confirmed that Westman died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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Details of the Shooting
The attack unfolded around 8:15 a.m. as students and worshippers gathered inside the church for mass. Police said the shooter opened fire from outside the church, using multiple firearms—including a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol—while shooting through the windows.
The violence claimed the lives of two children, ages 8 and 10, while injuring 17 others. Among the wounded were 14 children. Officials at Hennepin Healthcare confirmed that they received 10 patients from the shooting, including six children and one adult who remain in critical condition.
Police Response and Background Information
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated that Westman was not previously known to law enforcement. Investigations into the suspect’s background revealed that Westman’s mother had been employed at Annunciation for five years before retiring in August 2021. Public records further indicated that Westman’s father owns a home less than a mile away from the church.
Additional details showed that Westman had legally changed his name from Robert to Robin in Dakota County. Records indicate that the petition for the name change was filed in late 2019 and approved in early 2020.
Online Activity Before the Attack
Authorities also discovered that Westman reportedly uploaded a 20-minute video to YouTube prior to the shooting. The account where the video was posted has since been deactivated.
Conclusion
The Minneapolis church shooting has left the community grieving as authorities continue to piece together the events that led to the tragedy. With two young lives lost and many others injured, the devastating impact will be felt for years to come as investigators work to uncover more about the suspect and the circumstances behind the attack.
