FBI is Investigating Shooting Against Minnesota Catholics as a Hate Crime and Domestic Terrorism

Articles | August 28, 2025 | by Catholics for Catholics

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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the attack “targeted our most vulnerable: young children praying in their first morning Mass of the school year.”

By Catholics for Catholics

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is probing one of the worst mass shootings against Catholics, deeming the attack against a Minneapolis temple as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime.

FBI Director Kash Patel identified the suspect as 23-year-old Robin Westman, born Robert Westman, and remarked that Westman identified as transgender.

“The shooter has been identified as Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman,” Patel wrote on X. “The FBI will continue to provide updates on our ongoing investigation with the public as we are able.”

Thank you to this administration for calling this attack what it is: A Catholic Hate Crime! pic.twitter.com/YjyWLE1wrc

— Catholics for Catholics 🇺🇲 (@CforCatholics) August 28, 2025

Westman started shooting during morning Holy Mass at Annunciation Church, where students were congregated for the first service of the school year. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the attack “targeted our most vulnerable: young children praying in their first morning Mass of the school year.”

Westman first shot through a window, then went into the sanctuary armed with three firearms, according to police. He killed two children, ages 8 and 10. Seventeen others, including 14 children, were wounded. 

Westman committed suicide inside the church, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed. “This was a direct attack on people of faith, on children, and on America’s most cherished freedoms,” O’Hara said.

Join us in prayer at 5pm ET for the victims on X and Youtube! pic.twitter.com/uGoJDL5kxF

— Catholics for Catholics 🇺🇲 (@CforCatholics) August 27, 2025

Flags were ordered to be flown at half-staff at the White House. President Donald Trump called the massacre “an unspeakable tragedy” and pledged federal resources for the investigation.

Patel stressed that the FBI is investigating the case as a hate crime against Catholics. “We are treating this as domestic terrorism and a hate crime,” he said.