Kumar Bahukhandi
Photo Credit/X
New York /Washington : A shooter who opened fire at a Minneapolis Catholic School, killing two children, had ‘Nuke India’ written on one of the guns, according to video footage of the alleged arsenal used by him on August 28 , 2025 (IST) .
The shooter, identified as Robin Westman, 23, from Minnesota, opened fire in the Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday killing two children aged 8 and 10 and injuring 17 people. Westman then allegedly killed himself.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is treating the incident as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics, said FBI Director Kash Patel. He confirmed the shooter’s identity as Robin Westman, who was born as Robert Westman.
According to court records, Westman legally changed name and gender in 2020 and identified as a transgender woman.
The incident has reignited debate in the United States over the easy availability of firearms and the increasing frequency of school shootings.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 287 mass shootings in the country this year alone.
In a post on social media platform X, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the attack as “unthinkable” and noted that the suspect was “claiming to be transgender.”
However, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged restraint in public discourse, warning against the scapegoating of transgender individuals. “Anybody who is using this tragedy as an opportunity to vilify our trans community, or any other community, has lost their sense of common humanity,” he told reporters.
“We have more guns in this country than people. We can’t continue to express outrage after every shooting and then allow it to happen again and again,” he added.
The attack drew widespread condemnation and expressions of grief. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered flags at the White House to be flown at half-staff.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American to head the Catholic Church, said he was “profoundly saddened” by the events.
Video footage circulating online allegedly showed Westman displaying his ammunition, rifles and guns. ‘Nuke India’ is written in white on one of the guns.
Journalist Laura Loomer said in a post on X that the Minnesota shooter had “Mashallah” and “Nuke India” written on his gun. He also wrote “Israel Must Fall”.
“Clearly influenced by anti-Indian and Anti-Jewish Islamic propaganda. Not really a shocker to see a person like this living in Ilhan Omar’s district kill Catholics. Another example of the Red-Green alliance,” Loomer said.
Ilhan Omar, a Democrat, is the US representative for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district since 2019.
(With inputs from AFP/PTI)
