Minneapolis School Shooting Details Emerge

A recent tragic event in Minneapolis has drawn attention to the background of the shooter, Robin Westman, a 23-year-old man who identifies as transgender. Westman was involved in a shooting at a Catholic school that left two children, ages 8 and 10, dead and injured 17 others.

Reports from various outlets, including NBC News and the Washington Post, referred to Westman using female pronouns, aligning with his gender identity. This includes mentioning his name change from Robert to Robin in 2019, which was approved by his mother, Mary, while he was still a minor.

According to court documents, Mary stated that Westman had no prior felony records. It’s also noted that the family lived in Hastings, Minnesota, during their 2013 divorce and had three children, all of whom were enrolled in private schools.

In a concerning twist, NBC reported that Westman had previously posted several disturbing videos on YouTube, some of which referenced violent intentions and threats against public figures, including a chilling remark about the Holocaust.

ABC News noted that Westman’s driver’s license identifies him as female, which has been consistent in many reports, such as from The Daily Mail, which described him as a “trans woman.” The article mentioned that Westman’s mother had been an employee at the school but resigned in 2021.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged the community not to further marginalize the transgender population. He made statements discouraging public prayers offered by Christian groups, suggesting the children had already prayed prior to the incident.

This incident has elicited comparisons to another shooting perpetrated by Audrey Hale, a female shooter whose identity also sparked discussion in media circles. Some outlets have faced criticism for how they reported on Hale’s gender identity, adjusting language and terminology post-incident.