On the morning of August 27, 2025, the serene sanctity of Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis was shattered by a horrific act of violence. A lone gunman opened fire through the church’s stained-glass windows during a morning Mass, killing two children, aged 8 and 10, and injuring 17 others, including 14 children and three elderly parishioners. The assailant, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, died by suicide at the scene. As investigators combed through the aftermath, they uncovered a chilling diary and a series of videos that laid bare a motive so shocking it has left the community reeling: Westman’s actions were driven by a twisted desire for infamy, fueled by an obsession with previous school shooters and a need to cement their name in history through a meticulously planned act of terror.

The attack unfolded at approximately 8:30 a.m. at Annunciation Catholic School, a century-old institution in south Minneapolis known for its close-knit community and faith-based education. The Mass, a traditional celebration of the new school year, had drawn students from preschool to eighth grade, along with staff and parishioners. Westman, dressed in black and armed with a legally purchased rifle, shotgun, and pistol, approached the church’s exterior and fired dozens of rounds through the windows, targeting the children seated in the pews. The barrage lasted roughly two minutes, with 116 rifle rounds, three shotgun shells, and one jammed handgun round recovered at the scene. The sheer brutality of the act, described by Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara as “incomprehensible,” left the community grappling with grief and disbelief.

Westman, a former student at Annunciation who graduated in 2017, had deep ties to the school. Their mother, Mary Grace Westman, worked in the church’s business office from 2016 to 2021, a connection that added a layer of personal betrayal to the tragedy. Court records show that Westman, born Robert, legally changed their name to Robin in 2020, identifying as female. This detail sparked divisive online commentary, prompting Mayor Jacob Frey to call for focus on the victims rather than fueling hate. “Kids died today,” Frey said at a press conference. “This is about them, not about scapegoating any group.”

The discovery of Westman’s diary and accompanying YouTube videos, which were removed shortly after the attack with FBI assistance, revealed a disturbing glimpse into their psyche. The diary, written partly in English and partly in Cyrillic script spelling English words, contained hundreds of pages detailing months of planning. In chilling entries, Westman expressed a fixation on achieving notoriety through a mass shooting, idolizing figures like the Sandy Hook and Charleston shooters, whose names were scrawled on their weapons. The diary outlined a specific intent to target “a large group of kids in a big assembly,” with Annunciation’s opening Mass chosen for its symbolic and emotional impact. “I want my name to be remembered,” one entry read. “This will be my masterpiece.”

The writings revealed a complex mix of self-loathing, suicidal ideation, and a desire to inflict pain. Pages included phrases like “Who am I? When will it end? Kill me. Help,” alongside a drawing of a figure with a weapon, its reflection in a mirror showing a horned beast. Westman also expressed hatred toward various groups, including antisemitic and anti-Catholic sentiments, with phrases like “Israel must fall” and “Where’s your God now?” written on ammunition. A particularly chilling note referenced a desire to see “shock on their faces” as victims realized the attack was unfolding. The diary also contained apologies to family, with Westman whispering “I love my family” in one video while displaying a letter expressing regret for the pain their actions would cause.

Videos posted by Westman, under the username “Robin W,” showed them flipping through the journal and displaying their arsenal, including a shooting target with an image of Jesus. A wooden plank labeled “no escape” was later found barricading a church exit, indicating premeditated efforts to trap victims. The manifesto, timed to release during the attack, described the act as “art” and a means to “force the world to listen.” Westman’s obsession with infamy was further evidenced by references to online extremist communities and memes, including the word “Skibidi” written on a magazine, possibly linked to a now-defunct message board.

The revelation of Westman’s motive—seeking fame through a horrific act—has stunned Minneapolis and reignited debates about the cultural and psychological factors driving mass shootings. Experts note that many such perpetrators are drawn to the notoriety of past attackers, leaving behind “legacy tokens” like diaries or videos to ensure their name endures. Westman’s writings fit this pattern, with entries describing a “deep fascination” with figures like Adam Lanza, who killed 26 people at Sandy Hook in 2012. The choice of Annunciation, a place Westman knew intimately, suggests a personal vendetta, though no specific grievance against the church has been confirmed.

The community’s response was swift and heroic. Teachers and staff shielded students, with older children protecting younger ones under pews. A 10-year-old survivor, Weston Halsne, recounted hiding beneath a friend who was shot in the back. Neighbor Pat Scallen rushed to the scene, comforting injured children until medics arrived. Minneapolis police evacuated the school within minutes, while hospitals like Hennepin County Medical Center treated 11 victims, including nine children, four of whom required surgery. All injured are expected to survive, though two children remain in critical condition.

By evening, thousands gathered at vigils across the Twin Cities, including at Lynnhurst Park and the Academy of Holy Angels. Mourners, holding candles and wearing red to support gun violence prevention, shared tears and prayers. Archbishop Bernard Hebda, joined by Governor Tim Walz and Senator Amy Klobuchar, led a service, reading a condolence telegram from Pope Leo XIV. “In the midst of this horror, there was courage and love,” Hebda said, praising students who shielded classmates. Walz, visibly moved, vowed that Minnesota would support the affected families, stating, “No community should face this.”

The shooting, the 44th school shooting in the U.S. in 2025, has amplified calls for gun reform. Westman’s weapons, purchased legally, have fueled demands for stricter laws, with Minnesota officials like Attorney General Keith Ellison advocating for an assault rifle ban. Mayor Frey, rejecting “thoughts and prayers” rhetoric, declared, “This is about guns. We need action.” The tragedy follows other violent incidents in Minnesota, including the assassination of State Representative Melissa Hortman, underscoring the state’s recent struggles with gun violence.

For Annunciation, the road to healing is daunting. Principal Matt DeBoer, addressing mourners, apologized for the tragedy and urged action, saying, “Pray with your feet.” Parents like Vincent Francoual, whose daughter survived, spoke of her trauma: “She thought she was going to die.” The community has rallied, with local businesses providing food and counselors offering support at a family assistance center. President Donald Trump ordered flags at half-staff until August 31, while former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden expressed grief, with Biden noting, “No parent should have to bury their child.”

As the FBI investigates the attack as a possible hate crime targeting Catholics, the diary’s revelations have left Minneapolis confronting an uncomfortable truth: Westman’s desire for infamy drove an act of unspeakable cruelty. The community’s unity, seen in candlelit vigils and shared resolve, offers hope, but the loss of two young lives remains a wound that will not easily heal. The call for change grows louder, a plea to ensure such a motive never again claims innocent lives.