Police examine videos and manifesto linked to Robin Westman after Minneapolis church shooting

Two of the videos were titled with Westman’s full name

2 hours ago

Police are now examining disturbing online videos and a manifesto linked to Robin Westman, the shooter who carried out Wednesday’s mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis.

On 27 August, 23-year-old Robin Westman walked into the church during morning Mass and opened fire, killing two children and injuring 17 others. 14 of them were children and three were parishioners in their 80s.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara told CNN that investigators are reviewing a series of videos. Those videos are believed to have been uploaded shortly before the attack by Westman. Two of the videos were titled with Westman’s full name.

YouTube has since removed the clips, which showed weapons covered with offensive words and images. In addition, the footage included pages from a handwritten notebook that police are now describing as a “manifesto.” Investigators are going through it to “try and develop a motive from that.”

Furthermore, investigators revealed that the notebook contained repeated references to past mass shootings, alongside expressions of despair and self-hatred. It also featured a rough sketch of a church interior that closely resembled Annunciation’s layout.

The gunman, Robin Westman, formally known as Robert Westman reportedly approached the church from the outside, fired through windows with a semi-automatic weapon and other firearms, and died by suicide in the parking lot.

Minnesota court records confirm that Robin Westman,… pic.twitter.com/2Afw1hrjVb

— Boston Brandi (@BostonBrandi100) August 27, 2025

Experts have pointed out that the material bears similarities to other cases. Cody Zoschak from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue said the videos show clear links to “online subcultures” that have in the past celebrated “nihilistic violence”.

Meanwhile, neighbours expressed their shock at the news. “They are very nice neighbours, very good people,” said Jim White, who lives opposite the family home.

Westman, who previously attended Annunciation’s grade school, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. Moreover, court records show no criminal history, apart from a few minor traffic offences.