Minneapolis church shooter who killed 2 children fired 116 rounds, left behind disturbing writings
Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said videos and writings left by Westman revealed a disturbing hatred for nearly every group imaginable
MINNEAPOLIS, United States (MNTV) – Minneapolis church shooter who killed two Catholic school students and wounded more than a dozen others once attended the same school and was reportedly obsessed with the idea of killing children, authorities said.
Identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, he fired 116 rounds from a rifle through stained-glass windows while students celebrated the first week of classes at Annunciation Catholic School, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said.
“It is very clear that this shooter had the intention to terrorize those innocent children,” O’Hara said.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said videos and writings left by Westman revealed a disturbing hatred for nearly every group imaginable.
“The only group he did not hate was mass murderers,” Thompson said. “In short, the shooter appeared to hate all of us.”
Investigators recovered hundreds of pieces of evidence from the church and three residences, the police chief said. Authorities found additional writings from the suspect but no extra firearms or a clear motive for the attack on the church he once attended. Westman had a “deranged fascination” with mass killings, O’Hara said.
“No evidence will ever be able to make sense of such an unthinkable tragedy,” he added.
Surveillance video captured the attack and showed that the shooter never entered the church and could not see the children while firing through windows lined up with the pews, O’Hara said.
Family members described one of the victims, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel, as a boy who loved his family, fishing, cooking, and sports.
“We will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming,” his father, Jesse, said tearfully outside the church Thursday.
The parents of the other victim, 10-year-old Harper Moyski, said she was a bright and joyful child.
“Our hearts are broken not only as parents, but also for Harper’s sister, who adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss,” said Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin. “As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain.”
They said they hope her memory helps drive leaders “to take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country.”
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office said both children died of gunshot wounds.
City officials increased the number of injured children to 15, ages 6 to 15. Three parishioners in their 80s were also injured. Only one person – a child – remained in critical condition.
Westman, whose mother worked for the parish before retiring in 2021, left behind several videos and pages of writings describing a litany of grievances. One read: “I know this is wrong, but I can’t seem to stop myself.”
O’Hara said Westman was armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol and died by suicide.
On a YouTube channel, videos police say may have been posted by the shooter show weapons and ammunition and list the names of past mass shooters. What appears to be a suicide note addressed to family contains a confession of long-held plans to carry out a shooting and mentions being deeply depressed.
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