URGENT UPDATE: In a shocking and tragic incident, a mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis has left two children dead and 18 others injured. According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the shooter, identified as Robin Westman, was heavily armed and donned tactical gear during the attack on July 12, 2023.
Westman unleashed chaos in the church, firing a staggering total of 116 rifle shots and 3 shotgun rounds at worshippers, predominantly children, who were praying in the pews. The victims include Fletcher Merkel, age 8, and Harper Moyski, age 10, both tragically losing their lives during the rampage.
Witnesses report that Westman, armed with a Taurus semi-automatic pistol, a Mossberg shotgun, and a Magpul semi-automatic rifle, fired indiscriminately through the church windows. The police recovered four empty magazines from the Magpul rifle and three 9mm magazines from the scene, further underscoring the severity of the attack. Authorities confirmed that one live round was found in the chamber of the Taurus pistol, which malfunctioned just before Westman fatally shot themselves in the head.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, and the emotional toll is profound, with many families now grieving the loss of young lives. Police are investigating a manifesto allegedly written by Westman, which expresses a fascination with other infamous school shooters and contained disturbing content, including threats against former President Donald Trump and racist remarks.
FBI Director Kash Patel referred to the shooter as “a male born as Robert Westman.” Court records reveal that Westman’s mother legally changed Robert’s name to Robin in 2019, with the judge noting that Westman “identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.”
The Minneapolis community is in mourning, and officials are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. As authorities continue to investigate this heartbreaking event, the focus remains on providing support to the families affected by this devastating loss.
Stay tuned for ongoing updates as more details emerge from this tragic situation.
