The FBI has officially labeled the recent shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school Mass as a ‘barbar, Minneapolis attack as an act of domestic terrorism motivated by a hate-filled ideology. The suspect, Robert Westman, who later changed his name to Robin Westman, left multiple anti-Catholic, anti-religious references in his manifesto and on his firearms, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Patel stated, ‘As we continue to investigate yesterday’s barbaric attack from Robert [Robin] Westman, the male subject, our teams have gathered information and evidence demonstrating this was an act of domestic terrorism motivated by a hate-filled ideology.’ The FBI Director highlighted that the suspect’s writings contained explicit anti-religious themes, including anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish, and anti-Israel references. Additionally, Westman expressed hatred toward Jewish people, writing ‘Israel must fall,’ ‘Free Palestine,’ and using explicit language related to the Holocaust.
Patel further noted that the suspect wrote an explicit call for violence against President Trump on a firearm magazine. ‘He wrote an explicit call for violence against President Trump on a firearm magazine,’ Patel added. The FBI investigation is ongoing, and it will employ all counter-terror tools to ‘ensure this is fully investigated and deterred.’
The attack occurred on Wednesday when Westman opened fire at a Mass being held at the Annunciation Catholic Church, attended by students from the attached school. The incident resulted in two children dead and 17 others injured, with 14 of the injured being children. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported that three guns were recovered from the scene, all of which had been purchased legally by the shooter.
Additionally, O’Hara revealed that a manifesto had been recovered after Westman had it timed to be released on YouTube. The video showed Westman at the scene of the shooting and included disturbing images. The footage has been removed from YouTube and is under review by investigators.
Local reactions to the attack have been varied, with some community members expressing outrage and concern over the violence, while others have focused on the need for stronger gun control measures. The incident has also sparked discussions on the role of ideology in terrorism and the importance of preventing such acts through education and community engagement.
As the FBI continues its investigation, officials are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. The case is expected to provide valuable insights into the dynamics of domestic terrorism and the role of ideology in motivating such acts of violence.