Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey shockingly used a press conference about a deadly Catholic school shooting to advocate for transgender rights, even as the gunman was identified as a transgender individual who killed two innocent children.
Story Highlights
- Mayor Frey defended transgender community during shooting presser despite shooter’s trans identity
- Robin Westman, 23, killed two children and wounded 17 during Mass at Catholic school
- Shooter had family ties to school through mother’s employment as parish secretary
- Political opportunism overshadowed victims and grieving families at press conference
Mayor’s Inappropriate Political Grandstanding
During what should have been a somber press conference focused on victims and community healing, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey chose to inject divisive political rhetoric about transgender rights. While two children lay dead and 17 others wounded from a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, Frey used the platform to advocate for the very community the shooter represented. This tone-deaf display of political opportunism demonstrated a complete disconnect from the gravity of the situation and disrespected the grieving families who deserved focused attention on justice and support.
Shooter’s Identity and Disturbing Background
Robin Westman, a 23-year-old transgender woman who legally changed her name from Robert in 2019, carried out the deadly attack during morning Mass on August 27, 2025. The shooter had deep connections to the school through her mother, Mary Grace Westman, who served as parish secretary until retiring in 2021. This family tie to the institution makes the attack particularly disturbing, suggesting possible resentment or familiarity that enabled the assault. Westman died by suicide at the scene after unleashing violence on defenseless children during a religious service.
Attack Details and Ongoing Investigation
The shooting occurred during morning Mass celebrating the first week of school, maximizing trauma for students, families, and staff. Two children were killed and 17 others wounded before Westman turned the gun on herself. Minneapolis Police and FBI have confirmed the shooter’s identity but continue investigating the motive. Videos allegedly posted by Westman before the attack were removed from YouTube, though their authenticity remains unconfirmed by authorities.
Community Impact and Political Response
The attack has devastated the tight-knit Catholic school community and sparked broader debates about school safety and mental health support. While victims remain in critical condition and families grieve, political leaders like Senator Amy Klobuchar have issued measured statements focusing on community support. However, Mayor Frey’s decision to prioritize transgender advocacy over victim-centered messaging during the crisis response highlights the dangerous intersection of woke politics and public tragedy, where ideology trumps compassion and common sense.
The mayor’s inappropriate grandstanding serves as another example of how progressive politicians exploit tragedies to advance their social agendas, even when those very agendas are connected to the perpetrator. This represents a fundamental failure of leadership during a time when the community needed unity, not divisive political theater that further inflamed tensions and disrespected the victims’ memory.
Sources:
23-year-old identified as suspect in Minnesota church shooting that killed 2 children, wounded 17
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