On the morning of August 27, 2025, a 23-year-old man, known as Robin Westman, carried out a violent attack at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during a mass service. The incident left two children, Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, dead, with 18 other victims injured. The shooter, who later committed suicide at the scene, was described as being ‘obsessed with the idea of killing children.’ His meticulous planning and apparent mental state have left investigators and the public deeply unsettled.
According to court records, Robin Westman was born as Robert Westman and had a tumultuous family life. His parents, Mary Grace and James Westman, divorced in 2012 when he was 11 years old, with Mary Grace retaining primary custody. The family lived in Minneapolis until at least 2021. However, the shooter’s life took a more chaotic turn in 2019 when he legally changed his name to Robin, a decision made with his mother’s approval. This name change was reportedly part of a broader transition related to his identity.
Westman’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, had a long-standing connection to the school and church where the attack occurred. She had worked at the school for years before retiring in 2021. This connection raised questions about what might have transpired during the years leading up to the shooting. Westman’s father, James Westman, reported that his son recently broke up with a romantic partner, a detail that has sparked speculation about the events that may have triggered the attacker’s actions.
A week before the shooting, law enforcement officials responded to various incidents at the Westman residence, including one involving a ‘criminal offense’ and another related to a ‘mental health’ concern. These incidents, though not fully detailed, have highlighted the possibility of warning signs that were either overlooked or not recognized. The Minneapolis Police Department confirmed that the shooter’s mother had previously worked at the school and church, potentially offering insight into the environment in which the attacker grew up.
According to media reports, Westman had visited the church in the weeks before the shooting, attempting to reconnect with his faith. This behavior, combined with the shooter’s apparent obsession with children, may have contributed to the tragic outcome. A search at the shooter’s former residence in St. Louis Park uncovered evidence that he had planned the attack for a long time. The church doors were locked, which police believe saved many lives, but the attack still left a trail of devastation.
Following the attack, the FBI has classified the incident as a hate crime, citing the shooter’s expressed hatred towards several groups, including Black, Mexican, Christian, and Jewish communities. The shooter reportedly admired other mass shooters, indicating a deep-seated hostility toward society. The police are continuing their investigation, and the community is grappling with the trauma of the event. The incident has reignited discussions about mental health, gun control, and the need for better support systems to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As the investigation unfolds, the family’s reaction to the tragedy remains a critical aspect of the case. The shooter’s mother has refused to cooperate with authorities and has hired an attorney. This stance has raised further questions about the family’s involvement and the potential for external factors contributing to the attack. In the wake of the shooting, the community is coming together to grieve, seek closure, and advocate for changes that could prevent similar incidents from occurring.
The details of the case underscore the complexities of understanding and responding to individual violence. While the full extent of the shooter’s motivations may never be fully known, the tragedy has once again highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by society in addressing the root causes of such extreme behavior.