The FBI has imdicsted that the August 27, 2025 shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, which killed two children and wounded 17 others, is being investigated as a hate crime directed at Catholics. The gunman, 23-year-old Robin M. Westman, who reportedly was known as Robert Westman before changing names in 2020, died by suicide at the scene, leaving authorities without a defendant to prosecute.
While Westman’s death prevents criminal charges and trial proceedings, the hate-crime designation remains critical. It establishes the motive in the public record, ensures transparency for victims’ families, and allows federal investigators to examine whether others were involved or inspired by the attack.
Westman opened fire through the stained-glass windows of Annunciation Catholic Church during a school Mass, killing two children ages 8 and 10 and injuring 17 others, including 14 children and three elderly parishioners. The FBI is treating the incident as both domestic terrorism and a hate crime specifically against Catholics, citing Westman’s manifesto and deliberate targeting of a Catholic service.
The shooter’s suicide eliminates the possibility of prosecution under state or federal law. However, law enforcement continues the hate-crime investigation for several reasons: to establish a clear public record of anti-Catholic intent, to determine whether Westman had accomplices or communicated with extremist groups, and to learn how he obtained his weapons. Hate-crime laws, such as the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, remain relevant even without a trial. They shape the investigation’s focus, influence how resources are allocated, and provide a framework for reporting and analysis that may guide policy changes.
Hate-crime statutes require prosecutors to prove a crime was motivated by bias against a protected group, such as religion. In this case, although there will be no prosecution, the FBI’s hate-crime classification sends a message about how the government interprets the evidence. It also allows for federal oversight, particularly in examining extremist networks or online communities that may have influenced Westman. Without a defendant, the outcome shifts from punishment to prevention. Authorities may release findings that help schools, churches, and law enforcement agencies recognize and prepare for similar threats.
With Westman’s death, the Annunciation Catholic School shooting will not proceed to trial. Instead, the FBI’s ongoing hate-crime investigation will serve to document anti-Catholic bias, provide answers to victims’ families, and inform prevention strategies. Investigators are expected to release more details from Westman’s writings and online activity in the coming weeks.