FBI director labels shooting at Minneapolis Catholic school as domestic terrorism

Update on Minneapolis School Shooting

FBI Director Kash Patel has stated that the shooter, involved in a violent attack during a mass at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, left behind various anti-religious sentiments in both his manifesto and on his firearms.

In a recent post on X, Patel said, “As we continue to investigate yesterday’s wild attack by Robert, or Robin Westman, we’ve gathered evidence suggesting this was motivated by a hateful ideology, classifying it as a domestic terrorism act.”

He also shared critical information about the weapon used in the incident, noting that it had been legally purchased.

“The shooter left multiple anti-Catholic and anti-religious messages written on his firearms as well as in his manifesto,” Patel remarked. He highlighted that the shooter had expressed hatred and violence towards the Jewish community, with statements like “Israel must fall” and “Free Palestine,” along with distressing references related to the Holocaust.

Furthermore, Patel mentioned that the shooter made a direct call for violence against former President Trump in a firearm-related publication.

The FBI’s investigation is ongoing, and Patel assured that “we will utilize all counter-terrorism resources available to ensure a thorough investigation and prevent further incidents.”

Reactions to the Shooting

WNBA star Sophie Cunningham expressed her grief and offered prayers for the victims of what she described as “pure evil.”

Robin Westman, 23, formerly known as Robert Westman, launched an attack during a mass held at the Announcement Catholic Church, which was attended by students from the nearby school. This tragic event resulted in the death of two children and injuries to 17 others, with 14 of the injured being children.

Investigation Details

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported that three firearms were recovered from the shooting scene, all of which were legally acquired by the shooter. Additionally, a manifesto was retrieved, apparently released to the public via YouTube, which has since been taken down and is under investigation.