Details Emerge in Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting

Investigators in Minneapolis have uncovered a significant amount of evidence related to Wednesday’s mass shooting at a Catholic church and school, including the shooter’s weapons cache and a suspicious device believed to be a smoke bomb.

The shooter, identified as Robin Westman, a transgender individual, was armed with a Taurus semiautomatic pistol, a Mossberg shotgun, and a Magpul rifle, according to search warrants. Police recovered these firearms among 158 personal items, such as hard drives, from various locations linked to him.

Westman’s weapons were legally purchased, and authorities noted he had no documented mental health issues. Around 116 shell casings were found at the scene, with witnesses reporting that he fired indiscriminately into the church, which was filled with children and parishioners. Police also recovered a wooden board with a gas container and a metal pull pin, possibly intended as a smoke device, along with a knife, gloves, headphones, and a sweatshirt.

His manifesto, shared in a YouTube video, revealed his motive was linked to his gender transition struggles. He blamed his mother, Mary Grace Westman, for discouraging him from transitioning, claiming her words worsened his trauma and contributed to his violent actions. The manifesto included disturbing drawings of demonic figures and cryptic internet references.

Authorities also linked Westman to a residence behind the church, where police found a rifle case, a tactical vest, media devices, and personal electronics. His father, James Westman, who had signed his name change documents, provided insight that his son had recently ended a relationship in nearby St. Louis Park.

Several children, including Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, were killed, with victims Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, found praying moments before being shot through stained glass windows. Others, like 12-year-old Sophie Forchas and 13-year-old Endre Gunter, remain hospitalized in critical condition.

Robin Westman’s residence, a building at 7509 Lyndale Ave S, was photographed by authorities, revealing the environment that housed the troubled individual.