Church Targeted By Trans-Identifying Shooter Asks For Prayer During ‘Impossible Situation’

A Minneapolis Catholic church and school issued a heartbreaking statement on Wednesday hours after two students, ages 8 and 10, were killed by a trans-identifying gunman.

Authorities identified the attacker as “Robin Westman,” a trans-identifying 23-year-old who went by the name Robert before he began identifying as a woman. Westman attacked Annunciation Catholic School’s church in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning as students attended mass.

“We are navigating an impossible situation together at this time. No words can capture what we have gone through, what we are going through, and what we will go through in the coming days and weeks. But we will navigate this – together,” the open letter to the Annunciation community said.

The letter was signed by the school’s principal, Matthew DeBoer, and the church’s pastor, Father Dennis Zehren.

The gunman began shooting into the church from the outside, according to DeBoer and Zehren. Despite the danger, “heroic” staff protected the students by placing them under pews while law enforcement responded to the scene.

“Tragically, we lost two of our beloved students before the scene was secured. A number of other children and parishioners were wounded, and they are being treated at area hospitals. Some have been treated and released. All staff are physically safe and accounted for,” the letter said. “Please lift up these families and these children in prayer and surround them and each other with your love during this difficult time.”

DeBoer and Zehren went on to describe the situation as “unfathomable.”

“In this time of darkness, let us commit to being the Light to our children, each other and our community. We will rebuild our future filled with hope — together,” the letter concluded.

Westman began his attack by firing into the church through its windows during mass. After killing two and injuring 17 others, he turned his weapon on himself in the church parking lot, according to police.

Westman’s mother worked for the school that he targeted, though it is unclear what position she held. In 2021, the church celebrated five years of her working for the parish.

Westman left behind numerous journal entries, drawings, videos, and other content that reflect many dark thoughts. Some of the messages carried antisemitic threats against Jews, such as: “If I will carry out a racially motivated attack, it would be most likely against filthy Zionist jews” and “I hate those entitled, penny-sniffing k***s.”

FBI Director Kash Patel said on Wednesday at the bureau is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism and a “hate crime targeting Catholics.”