BONUS POD: Gunman Left Online Manifesto w Anti-Trump & Anti-Israel Rhetoric

8 snips

Aug 28, 2025

A tragic shooting at a Catholic church left two children dead and many injured, prompting an investigation into the shooter's disturbing manifesto filled with hate against Catholics, Trump, and Israel. The FBI labeled the attack a hate crime, while local responses focused heavily on gun control rather than the root issues. The podcast critiques how media narratives shape public perception and highlights the societal dangers of accessible firearms, urging for a deeper understanding of empathy and mental health in the wake of such violence.

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INSIGHT

FBI Calls Shooting A Hate Crime

The FBI labeled the Minneapolis Catholic school shooting as domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics.
This framing contrasts with local officials who said they lacked enough evidence to call it a hate crime yet.

INSIGHT

Manifesto And Online Material Found

Investigators found videos, writings, and a timed manifesto the shooter posted to YouTube.
The content showed admiration for prior mass shooters and included weapons painted with slurs and messages.

ANECDOTE

Shooter Had School Ties And Name Change

The shooter, Robin Westman, legally changed their name from Robert to Robin and identified as female.
The suspect graduated from and had family ties to the targeted school, including a mother who worked there.

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Summary of Events

The shooter, identified as Robin Westman (born Robert Westman, 23 years old), carried out an attack at a Catholic church and school during mass.
Weapons used: pistol, rifle, and shotgun.
Casualties reported: 2 children (ages 8 and 10) killed, 17 others injured (14 children and 3 adults).
The shooter allegedly took their own life inside the church.
The FBI labeled the case as a hate crime and domestic terrorism targeting Catholics, though local police had not fully confirmed the motive.

Shooter Background

Legally changed name from Robert to Robin at age 17.
Described as transgender by commentators in the text.
Left behind videos, writings, and a manifesto with disturbing content:
- Admiration for previous mass shooters.
- Anti-Catholic, anti-Trump, and anti-Israel messages written on firearms and magazines (e.g., “Kill Donald Trump,” “Israel must fall”).
- Obsession with school shootings and extremist rhetoric.
Mother previously worked at the same school; shooter graduated from it in 2017.

Political & Media Reactions

Trump administration officials and FBI leadership framed the shooting as an act of religiously motivated hate.
Commentary in the document accuses Democrats and liberal media of downplaying the hate-crime angle and focusing instead on gun control.
References to Amy Klobuchar, Jen Psaki, and the Minneapolis mayor, criticizing their calls for tighter gun laws and for allegedly ignoring the ideological/mental health aspects.
The mayor’s emotional remarks about gun violence and children’s safety are quoted, but framed as anti-gun rhetoric.
The commentary repeatedly emphasizes a pattern of transgender shooters and accuses mainstream media of suppressing that detail.

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