Shock and grief enveloped Minneapolis on Wednesday after a lone gunman opened fire at a Catholic church's morning Mass, killing two children and injuring 17 others before taking their own life.

According to CNA, authorities say Robin Westman, a transgender woman born "Robert," carried out the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and left behind disturbing online content filled with religious mockery, neo-Nazi references, and violent ideologies.

The attack took place during a weekday service at the Annunciation Catholic Church, located adjacent to a parish elementary school, where many of the attendees were schoolchildren. The shooter, identified as Westman, died by suicide before police could apprehend her.

In the days leading up to the attack, Westman uploaded a video to YouTube—since removed—that revealed her potential motives. The footage expressed hostility toward Christianity and admiration for known mass killers, while also displaying anti-Semitic and racist sentiment.

In the video, Westman mocked Jesus Christ by targeting a mannequin outfitted with an image of Christ wearing the crown of thorns. The mocked figure was accompanied by the phrase: “He came to pay a debt he didn’t owe because we owe a debt we cannot repay.”

Weapons covered in messages of hate

Weapons recovered at the scene reportedly featured several handwritten messages condemning religion and promoting violence. Phrases such as “Where’s your God?” and “Do you believe in God?” were scrawled across the firearms used in the shooting.

One rifle featured the inscription “take this all of you and eat,” a direct parody of Christian liturgy associated with the Last Supper. Other weapons displayed satanic symbols, including inverted crosses, pentagrams, and the number 666.

Investigators found that many of the shooter’s weapons bore names of previous mass shooters, some of them well-known for far-right extremism or anti-religious motives. These included Anders Behring Breivik, Brenton Tarrant, Adam Lanza, Natalie Rupnow, and James Holmes.

Anti-Semitic and racist sentiments referenced

Anti-Semitic slogans were also present on the firearms and other gear, with one smoke grenade labeled “Jew gas” and another weapon etched with “6 million wasn’t enough,” referring to Holocaust denial rhetoric.

Additional anti-Israel messages were uncovered, contributing to the depiction of a worldview filled with hatred. Weapons also carried slogans disparaging various ethnic groups and religions, including phrases like “Nuke India,” “Remove kebab,” and racial slurs targeting Black and Hispanic people.

Beyond religious and racial hate, some of the rifles included disparaging statements aimed at former President Donald Trump. Items also included Arabic phrases such as “Mashallah,” which translates to “God has willed it,” as well as memes referencing the film “Joker.”

Affiliations with extremist networks under review

In the video, Westman flashed the “OK” hand gesture, a symbol sometimes co-opted by white supremacist groups. This same gesture was made by Natalie Rupnow, who carried out a school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.

Investigators have found no defined link between Westman and organized extremist groups. However, she referenced Rupnow, who had connections to an online Satanic neo-Nazi network known as “764,” associated with the violent Order of Nine Angles.

In April 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice arrested two leaders of “764” in connection with operating a global child exploitation network and inciting participants to commit self-harm and violence. Though Westman expressed admiration for Rupnow, no evidence so far ties her directly to this group.

Final words and psychological warning signs

In the video message, Westman acknowledged an awareness of the moral weight of her actions but claimed an inability to stop. “I’m not well. I’m not right. I am a sad person, haunted by these thoughts that do not go away,” she said.

She added, “I know this is wrong, but I can’t seem to stop myself.” Referring to those close to her, Westman stated, “That’s the only people I’m sorry to.”

Authorities say they are continuing to examine Westman’s history and digital footprint to determine whether further threats exist and how such ideology may have taken root. Community leaders have called for increased vigilance and support for the victims and their families as the investigation proceeds.