Crime
Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting Victim Identified as 14-year-old Sophia
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A tragic mass shooting unfolded Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, leaving three people dead—including two children—and at least 17 others injured.
Authorities confirmed that the suspected gunman, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.
Among the injured is 14-year-old Sophia, who is reported to be in extremely critical condition following emergency surgery.
Her condition was shared publicly by Fr. Timothy Sas of St. Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis, who, along with clergy across the community, has requested prayers for Sophia, the other victims, and their families.
Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed in the attack. In total, 17 others were wounded, including 14 children and three adults, according to Minneapolis police.
Investigators said Westman approached the side of the church connected to the school and opened fire through stained glass windows as students sat in the pews during morning mass. Police believe the shooter blocked at least two entrances to the church with wooden planks prior to the attack, suggesting an effort to trap people inside.
Authorities confirmed the assailant was armed with three weapons—a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol—all of which were discharged during the assault. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the act as “a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and worshippers,” calling it an “incomprehensible display of cruelty and cowardice.”
Court records reviewed by Channel 2 News reveal that the suspect, originally named Robert Westman, legally changed her name to Robin in 2020 while still a minor, with support from her mother. Records state that Westman “identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.” Her mother, who retired in 2021, had previously worked at Annunciation Catholic School.
Law enforcement officials are also reviewing digital evidence connected to the suspect. A YouTube account, now deleted but believed to have belonged to Westman, contained a 20-minute video resembling a manifesto. In the video, a drawing of a church is shown being stabbed repeatedly while a voice says, “I’m going to kill myself.” Other videos posted included footage of gun parts and firearms, some marked with the names of past mass shooters. One part reportedly included a threatening message directed at former President Donald Trump.
Police recovered the suspect’s vehicle parked near the school, which is being examined as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities are working to determine whether the suspect fired exclusively from outside the church or also entered during the assault.
Chief O’Hara confirmed that the shooter ultimately died by suicide inside the rear of the church. “The sheer cruelty of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible,” he stated.
The shooting comes just days after the start of the new school year. Students were gathered for mass when the violence erupted, devastating families, parishioners, and the wider community. Faith leaders, including Fr. Sas, have urged the public to keep the victims and their families in prayer, especially Sophia, who remains in life-threatening condition.
Crime
Attorneys Argue Jacob Bard Actions in Deadly Kentucky State University Shooting Were Legally Justified
Attorneys representing Jacob Bard, the man accused in a deadly shooting at Kentucky State University, contend that his actions were legally justified and undertaken in defense of his family amid what they describe as a violent and uncontrolled situation on campus.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, Bard’s legal team from the Indiana-based law firm Danks & Danks asserted that Bard “was completely justified under the law in his use of deadly force.”
Bard is accused of fatally shooting one Kentucky State University student and wounding another during an incident at a campus dormitory.
According to the attorneys’ statement, Bard traveled to Kentucky State University after his younger son reported being attacked on multiple occasions.
The release alleges that on Monday, December 8, a group of approximately 20 to 30 individuals gathered outside the son’s dormitory, some allegedly armed, and began beating on the door. Campus police were reportedly called to respond to the disturbance.
The following morning, Bard and his wife met with Kentucky State University police. While the attorneys stated that officers appeared sincere in their efforts, they claimed it was evident to the family that campus police were “ill-prepared to deal with the out-of-control and violent environment.”
The legal team further alleges that both the university and its police department failed to adequately address what they described as multiple armed and violent felonies against Bard’s sons, ages 18 and 19, as well as other students in the days preceding the shooting.
Those alleged incidents included burglaries and armed assaults.
Later that morning, the family attended a meeting at Young Hall with campus police and a university dean.
According to the release, the meeting left the family convinced that the university would not be able to maintain a safe environment, prompting them to begin removing the son’s belongings from the dormitory.
When the family returned to the residence hall, the attorneys claim that individuals previously involved in the alleged assaults were present, despite assurances they would not be allowed inside.
The statement further alleges that those individuals photographed the family and made verbal threats.
The attorneys contend that, even with two armed Kentucky State University police officers present, a group of 20 to 30 individuals gathered in the dormitory lobby and “violently and viciously attacked” Bard’s son and family members.
According to the release, Bard’s son was slammed into the concrete floor and beaten by multiple people, and the officer on scene allegedly lost control of the situation.
“In the chaos,” the attorneys wrote, Bard attempted to pull attackers off his son but was struck himself. Believing his son to be in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury, Bard then drew his firearm and shot two individuals whom the attorneys say were actively assaulting his son.
The legal team also stated that no charges have been filed against others allegedly involved in the confrontation and claimed the Bard family has continued to receive death threats.
The release further alleges that the mother of the deceased student has publicly called for retaliation against Bard’s son and sought assistance from criminal groups—claims that have not been independently verified by authorities.
The case against Bard was presented to a grand jury on December 16.
During a previous court hearing, a detective testified that at least one video reviewed by investigators did not show the shooting victims assaulting Bard’s son.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not issued a final determination regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting.