New Details Emerge in Investigation of Robin Westman, Suspect in Deadly Annunciation Catholic Church Shooting

As Minneapolis mourns, investigators are piecing together the suspect's unraveling life, with new warrants exposing fragments that may explain the chaos that occurred inside Annunciation Catholic Church.

A devastating twist has rocked the investigation into the deadly church shooting that left two young children dead and dozens injured, as investigators uncover chilling new clues about the disturbed 23-year-old suspect who unleashed terror inside a peaceful Minnesota parish.

Robin Westman, the heavily armed shooter who opened fire during morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church, was reeling from a recent breakup and staying with a friend in St. Louis Park when they launched their assault, according to explosive documents.

Court records reveal that Robin had been living in a Richfield apartment before their romantic relationship ended. Following the breakup, they moved in with an older friend.

The suspect's father gave investigators access to his Minneapolis home, where officers seized a tactical vest, two computer drives, and a collection of miscellaneous documents that may contain critical information.

Adding to the chilling nature of the crime, the van used in the attack was registered to the suspect's father, authorities confirmed.

The rampage unfolded just after sunrise, sending worshipers screaming and scrambling for cover as the suspect, dressed head-to-toe in black tactical gear, opened fire.

The result? Two innocent children, just 8 and 10 years old, were gunned down in cold blood. 18 others, most of them schoolchildren, suffered injuries.

Robin reportedly died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, bringing the horror to an end but leaving a city — and a nation — shattered and searching for answers.

In another bizarre twist, police say they've been unable to speak with Mary Grace Westman, the suspect's mother, who, so far, has allegedly refused to cooperate with the investigation.

Through her attorney, Ryan Garry, she issued a brief but emotional message, telling Fox News that she is "deeply distraught" and maintaining that she is not involved in the crime. Ryan added that his client has retained legal counsel to handle all further communication.

Furthermore, since the Annunciation Church shooting, investigators have uncovered a bizarre, rage-filled manifesto allegedly written by Robin.

The disturbing writings, partially encoded in Cyrillic characters and phonetic English, are now casting a chilling new light on the shooter's inner turmoil, fractured family life, and explosive resentment in the days leading up to the deadly attack.

In a haunting entry dated July 1, the suspect appeared to wrestle with deep resentment toward their mother during an upcoming visit, writing, "Your words, mother, made me stay in my discomfort unable to ask for help to avoid admitting defeat. You were right mama, but the way you handled it led me to wanting to kill so so many people [sic]."

In another raw confession, the shooter expressed regret over past choices involving both gender identity and drug use, lamenting, "Gender and weed [expletive] up my head. I wish I never tried experimenting with either. Don't let your kids smoke weed or change gender until they are like seventeen [sic]."

Robin's writings also describe years of painful rejection, especially in connection with their gender identity. In one recollection, the shooter described feeling crushed and worthless after opening up to their mom.

"When I was first out to my mother, she was VERY antagonistic. She really made me hate myself and think I will never be good enough [sic]," they wrote.

"I remember one day, she said something like, 'In the future you will look back and feel ridiculous about who you feel like you are inside. You will regret this.' Well guess what mom?! I regret being born [sic]," Robin continued.

In a shocking new development, federal agents have expanded the investigation to Florida, where the FBI reportedly visited a condominium linked to Mary earlier this week.

Officials in Collier County confirmed that local deputies had already visited the same address just one day before the shooting for a welfare check involving a juvenile. While the Sheriff's Office insists the call was unrelated to Robin or the shooting, the timing has raised fresh concerns.

The FBI, for its part, declined to comment on its activities in Florida — but the agency's presence has fueled speculation about what role, if any, Mary may have played in the weeks or days preceding the horrific bloodbath.

As of Thursday, Minneapolis police confirmed that the FBI is still trying to locate her. The reason for the search has not been disclosed, and officials have refused to say whether it's for questioning or another legal purpose.

As we previously reported, in a community torn apart by bloodshed inside a sacred space, the shattered families of Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, are remembering the children's boundless spirits and the devastation left behind after a shooter opened fire at a Catholic school.

Now, with tears still fresh, these parents are refusing to let the tragedy fade into the background. They're demanding accountability, remembrance, and, above all, change.

The Day Innocence Was Stolen

The lives of Fletcher and Harper were cut short in a hail of bullets when a 23-year-old former student unleashed terror at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. The children were just steps away from their classrooms when the gunman opened fire through church windows in a rampage.

Fletcher, an outdoors-loving, sports-obsessed 8-year-old, was remembered by his grieving father, Jesse Merkel, in a powerful, emotional statement outside the school:

"Yesterday, a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son, Fletcher, away from us. Because of their actions, we will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him, and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming."

Fighting back tears, Jesse spoke of a boy who was happiest with a fishing pole in one hand and cooking utensils in the other. A child who lived life with joy, laughter, and energy — until that joy was snuffed out.

Jesse revealed that Fletcher also loved his family, his friends, and any sport he was allowed to play. "While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time, our family can find healing. I pray that the other victim's family can find some semblance of the same," he continued.

Harper's Final Smile

Harper was described by her grieving parents as a "bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her."

Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin released a heart-wrenching statement honoring the little girl whose laughter echoed in every room she entered — her life now reduced to memories.

The couple also revealed the devastating toll on Harper's younger sister, who adored her big sibling — and now must carry the unbearable burden of her absence:

"Our hearts are broken not only as parents, but also for Harper's sister, who adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss. As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain."

18 Others Injured – 15 of Them Children

In total, 18 people were injured — 15 of them children. All are expected to survive, thanks in large part to quick-thinking staff and heroic students who took swift action.

Jesse called out those acts of bravery, saying, "Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more. For these people, I'm thankful."

Families Demand Action

Through their pain, both families are demanding that Fletcher and Harper's deaths not become another statistic in America's worsening gun crisis. They are calling on lawmakers, school leaders, and communities to finally step up — before more lives are stolen. In their statement, Harper's parents pleaded:

"No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain. We urge our leaders and communities to take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country. Change is possible, and it is necessary — so that Harper's story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies."

Jesse, in turn, urged people to remember not the shooting, but the boy who was stolen by it. He added that others should give their children "an extra hug and kiss today" and asked that Fletcher be remembered as "the person he was, and not the act that ended his life."

As Minneapolis mourns, the haunting image of two lifeless children in the pews of their church will not be forgotten anytime soon.

But their parents refuse to let grief be the final word — turning anguish into activism in the hopes that no more parents are forced to stand where they are standing now.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.