New records reveal that the suspected shooter, 23-year-old Robin Westman, arrived at the Annunciation Church in Minneapolis heavily armed, equipped with an AR-15-style rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, and a 9mm pistol. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of two children, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, and injured 18 others, including 15 children and three elderly parishioners. Westman was found dead at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, wearing tactical gear and a mask.
Court documents disclosed by the St. Cloud Times detailed items discovered at the crime scene, such as ammunition, a wood board with smoke canisters attached, and belt magazine pouches around Westman’s body. He had arrived at the church in a gray Ram ProMaster City van registered to his father. After the shooting on August 27, investigations led police to interview Westman’s family, revealing that he had previously attended the church and that his mother worked there.
Amid the chilling evidence found inside the church, including bloodstains and biological material throughout, police collected samples for analysis. Investigators are also seeking additional evidence from locations connected to Westman, including weapons, ammunition, and financial records related to his firearm purchases. They hope to uncover documents or digital material, such as cell phones and laptops, that may shed light on Westman’s motives behind the shooting. This horrific event has left the community in mourning and raised pressing questions about safety in similar institutions.
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