The tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis has left a community searching for answers, and many questions have centered on the background of the identified shooter, Robin Westman. While details about Westman’s personal life remain limited, public records and law enforcement statements provide some insight into their family dynamics, though it is important to remember that the focus should remain on the victims and the profound loss suffered by the community.
Robin Westman’s parents have been identified as James and Mary Grace Westman. Mary Grace Westman, their mother, aged 65, worked at Annunciation Catholic School until her retirement in 2021. According to a Facebook post from the church, she was praised for her “wonderful hospitality” and five years of service there. This connection to the school has been particularly jarring for the community, as the shooting occurred at a place where the shooter’s mom was once a familiar face.
WOW, looks like Robert “Robin” Westman’s mother recently retired from the church he shot up this morning? pic.twitter.com/1ViMEi6FNS
— EinsteinSurfer 🏄♂️🏝 (@EinsteinSurfer) August 27, 2025
Police have clarified that there is no evidence suggesting Mary Grace had any prior knowledge of the attack. In fact, she was reported to have been in tears when contacted by a reporter on the day of the shooting, stating she did not know whether her child was involved.
James Westman, their father, listed in public records as a Minneapolis resident, owns a home less than a mile from the church. Following the shooting, law enforcement cordoned off the property as part of their investigation. Neighbors described the mom, dad, and son as sometimes keeping to themselves but also as friendly, with one even recalling Robin as a “nonviolent kid.”
You Might Like: Bruce Willis’ Net Worth in 2025
Family Dynamics and Personal History
Robin Westman, born Robert Paul Westman, legally changed their name to Robin in 2020 at the age of 17. Court documents indicate that this change was made because Westman identified as female and wanted her name to reflect that identity. The name change petition was signed by Mary Grace Westman, as Robin was still a minor at the time.
This detail has been acknowledged by authorities, but has also been met with calls for compassion and a focus on the victims rather than allowing the shooter’s identity to become a source of division. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey explicitly urged people not to use the tragedy to villainize the transgender community, emphasizing that the focus should be on the children who lost their lives and the families affected.
Robert Paul Westman, born June 17, 2002 requested a name change as a minor in 2019 to Robin Westman. This action was granted in 2020. pic.twitter.com/G9n8dpvkEu
— Harrison Krank (@HarrisonKrank) August 27, 2025
Beyond the immediate loved ones, there is little information publicly available about Robin Westman’s extended family, ethnicity, or possible siblings. They appear to have lived a relatively private life in the residential neighborhood near the church. Law enforcement officials have stated that Robin’s parents are not under investigation and are likely grappling with an unimaginable personal tragedy of their own.
The Westman family’s ethnicity has not been disclosed in any of the available reports, and no siblings have been mentioned in the coverage thus far. The investigation has revealed that Robin Westman left behind disturbing materials, including a manifesto posted on YouTube and notebooks containing violent sketches, but these have not shed light on relationships or ethnic background.
Also See: Bruce Willis’ 5 Children: Names and Ages of His Daughters
A Community’s Heartbreak
Robin Westman, the Minneapolis Catholic Church shooter, over the years.
A national conversation will now be held. pic.twitter.com/Po3FopKhR8
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) August 27, 2025
The broader Minneapolis community, along with the nation, is now left to mourn and seek healing. The emphasis from officials and community leaders has been on supporting the victims’ families and the first responders who witnessed the horrific scene. While curiosity about the shooter’s background is natural, the collective focus remains on the lives lost: the two children, ages 8 and 10, who were killed, and the 17 others who were injured.
The story of Robin Westman’s family is, at this point, a fragment of a much larger and more painful narrative, one that a community is struggling to comprehend, and one where the greatest detail is the profound grief felt by all.
