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Minneapolis school attacker 'obsessed with idea of killing children', officials say

August 29, 2025

A deadly attack at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis left two children dead and 18 others injured when 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire during prayer services. Police Chief Brian O'Hara reported that Westman, who previously attended the church's school, appeared "obsessed with killing children" and expressed hatred toward multiple groups including Jewish people and President Trump. The victims were identified as eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel and ten-year-old Harper Moyski, whose grieving families have spoken publicly about their loss.

Who is affected

  • Children at Annunciation Church, including the two murdered children (Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10)
  • The 18 other injured individuals
  • Families of the victims, including Jesse Merkel (Fletcher's father) and Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin (Harper's parents)
  • Students and staff of the church's school
  • The Minneapolis community, particularly those living near the church
  • Children who now fear returning to school or church, like 11-year-old Chloe

What action is being taken

  • Police and federal investigators are searching three residences associated with the attacker
  • Authorities are attempting to contact the attacker's mother, Mary Grace Westman
  • Officials are investigating the attacker's background and motivations
  • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is advocating for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines
  • The FBI is treating the shooting as "an act of domestic terrorism motivated by a hate-filled ideology"

Why it matters

  • The attack represents another instance of mass violence targeting children in the United States
  • The shooting took place in a house of worship, affecting the community's sense of safety in religious spaces
  • The attacker's explicit hatred toward multiple groups reflects broader concerns about ideologically motivated violence
  • Parents and children are experiencing trauma and fear about returning to school and church
  • The incident highlights ongoing debates about gun control, as the weapons used were legally purchased
  • The attack demonstrates the continuing pattern of mass shootings in America, which some witnesses described as "no longer a freak accident"

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC