The suspect in a mass shooting at a Catholic church and school in Minneapolis apparently promoted Republican congressional candidate Brandon Herrera in a video posted online before the shooting.
The shooter, identified by authorities as 23-year-old Robin Westman, wrote “Kill Donald Trump” and other messages on a rifle magazine, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on social media, referencing details seen in the same video that included the comments about Herrera.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed the existence of a manifesto that he said the shooter had timed to be released on YouTube.
He said the video has been taken down and “remains under active review by our investigators.” However, authorities have not confirmed that the 11-minute video that mentioned Herrera was the one posted by the shooter.
The Context
Authorities said Westman shot dozens of rounds through the windows toward children sitting in the pews during Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday. Two children, aged 8 and 10, died. Fourteen other children and three elderly parishioners were wounded, but are expected to survive. Westman, who was granted a name change in 2020 after identifying as a female, was found dead by suicide, police said. The motive for the shooting is unclear.
What To Know
It was not immediately clear if Westman was registered to vote as a Republican. But according to the video that has since been removed from YouTube, the person filming can be heard saying: “Brandon Herrera for president. Yeah, I met Brandon Herrera at SHOT Show last year and he and I had a conversation, a brief conversation, we agreed on a lot of things, so y’all should vote for Brandon Herrera for president.”
The SHOT Show an acronym for “Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show”—is an annual trade show held in Las Vegas.
Herrera, who describes himself as a “Second Amendment Absolutist,” said on X that he was “physically sickened and angry about this clearly hate motivated attack on innocent children, and disgusted that my name came out of this demon’s mouth.” He added that he does not recall meeting Westman, but said he would be willing to answer questions from law enforcement.
Newsweek has contacted Herrera for further comment via email.
What People Are Saying
Herrera also wrote on X on Wednesday: “I will not, nor will I ever say the name of the gutless coward who decided to take the lives of innocent people in Minneapolis today. My heart goes out to the family of those affected, but to the shooter, I have one thing to say in response. F*** you. Burn in hell.”
President Donald Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social on Wednesday: “I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey wrote in a post to X: “There are no words that can capture the horror and tragedy of the unspeakable act of evil at Annunciation Catholic Church. Children have been killed, more are injured, our community is shaken. Right now, our entire city needs to wrap these families in love and support.”
FBI director Kash Patel wrote on X: “The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.”
What’s Next
The shooting remains under investigation as authorities search for the shooter’s motive.
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