😲 SHOCKING REVELATION: A US Army Special Forces Veteran just DROPPED A BOMBSHELL about who’s radicalizing people like the Minneapolis shooter! His explosive statement on The Evening Edit will leave you stunned—pointing fingers at forces you never suspected. What’s really behind the tragedy at Annunciation Catholic Church?
👉 Click to uncover the jaw-dropping truth:
On August 27, 2025, Minneapolis was rocked by a horrific mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church, where 23-year-old Robin Westman killed two children and injured 18 others before taking their own life. As the nation grapples with the motives behind this tragedy, Jim Hanson, a US Army Special Forces veteran and Fox News contributor, made headlines with a fiery appearance on The Evening Edit. His bold statement, tearing into those he believes are radicalizing individuals like Westman, has sparked intense debate. Hanson pointed to online echo chambers and societal pressures as key culprits, leaving viewers stunned by his unfiltered perspective. This article delves into Hanson’s claims, the evidence surrounding Westman’s radicalization, and the broader implications for understanding mass shootings.
The Minneapolis Tragedy: A Devastating Attack
The shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church occurred during a morning Mass attended by students from the attached school. Westman, a former student whose mother, Mary Grace Westman, worked at the church until 2021, fired over 100 rounds through stained-glass windows, killing 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski and injuring 15 children and three elderly parishioners. Westman, who identified as a transgender woman after legally changing their name from Robert in 2020, died by suicide as police arrived.
Investigators uncovered chilling evidence of Westman’s motives, including a manifesto and YouTube videos showcasing a fascination with mass shooters like Adam Lanza, antisemitic and racist messages on weapons, and a note reading “Kill Donald Trump.” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described Westman’s “deranged obsession” with causing terror, while the FBI classified the attack as domestic terrorism driven by a “hate-filled ideology” targeting Catholics, Jews, and others. The complexity of Westman’s motives—blending personal struggles, ideological hatred, and a quest for notoriety—has fueled heated discussions about radicalization.
Jim Hanson’s Shocking Statement
On August 28, 2025, Jim Hanson, a former Special Forces soldier and executive director of the Center for Security Policy, appeared on Fox Business’s The Evening Edit to discuss the FBI’s investigation into the shooting as a hate crime. Hanson’s impassioned commentary cut through the noise, as he declared, “We’re ignoring the real culprits radicalizing people like this shooter!” He pointed to online subcultures, particularly those within the “true crime community” and nihilistic forums, as breeding grounds for violent ideologies. Hanson argued that these platforms, amplified by social media algorithms, glorify mass shooters and provide a blueprint for individuals like Westman to emulate.
Hanson’s statement shocked viewers for its directness and its challenge to mainstream narratives. Rather than focusing solely on Westman’s transgender identity or mental health struggles, he emphasized the role of digital echo chambers that fetishize violence and chaos. “These kids are being fed a steady diet of hate and despair online,” he said, citing forums that venerate figures like the Columbine shooters or the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue attacker. His remarks resonated with conservative audiences, who praised his willingness to address what they see as overlooked factors, but they also drew criticism from those who felt he downplayed other influences, such as gun access or mental health.
The Evidence: Westman’s Path to Radicalization
Westman’s writings and videos provide a disturbing window into their radicalization. A notebook, partially written in Cyrillic script, detailed plans to attack “a large group of kids” and expressed admiration for past mass shooters, including Adam Lanza and Natalie Rupnow, who attacked a Wisconsin school in 2024. One video showcased weapons adorned with slurs and a “defend equality” sticker with an LGBTQIA flag, reflecting a contradictory mix of ideologies. Another entry revealed Westman’s depression and suicidal thoughts, suggesting a blend of personal and ideological drivers.
Extremism analysts like Cody Zoschak from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue support Hanson’s focus on online subcultures. Zoschak noted that Westman’s obsession with the “true crime community” aligns with a pattern among recent shooters who engage with forums that glorify violence and celebrate perpetrators as “saints” in nihilistic subcultures. These spaces, often found on platforms like X or unmoderated corners of the internet, amplify feelings of alienation and provide a sense of belonging for troubled individuals. Westman’s videos, which included a hand-drawn map of Annunciation Church labeled “from memory,” indicate meticulous planning influenced by such online content.
However, not all experts agree with Hanson’s emphasis. Criminology professor Jillian Peterson argues that while online communities play a role, mass shooters are often driven by a “constellation of factors,” including mental health crises, social isolation, and easy access to firearms. Westman’s legally purchased arsenal—a rifle, shotgun, and pistol—enabled the attack, with a journal entry noting the ease of acquiring weapons from a pawnshop. Peterson cautions against overemphasizing ideology, noting that shooters like Westman often seek notoriety above all else, using online platforms to broadcast their intentions.
The Broader Context: Online Radicalization and Societal Pressures
Hanson’s claims highlight a growing concern about online radicalization. The internet has become a double-edged sword, offering both community and a platform for harmful ideologies. Subcultures like “Saints Culture,” which venerates mass shooters, thrive in unmoderated spaces, providing validation for individuals grappling with anger or despair. Westman’s engagement with such content, coupled with their personal struggles—depression, a recent breakup, and job loss at a cannabis dispensary—created a perfect storm.
The shooter’s transgender identity has also been a flashpoint. Conservative figures like Sebastian Gorka have linked the attack to a perceived trend of violence among transgender individuals, a claim experts dismiss as statistically unsupported. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged against scapegoating the transgender community, emphasizing the need to focus on the victims. Hanson, notably, avoided this angle, instead framing radicalization as a broader societal issue fueled by online echo chambers that exploit vulnerable minds.
The role of social media platforms has come under scrutiny. YouTube removed Westman’s videos post-attack, but critics argue that algorithms often amplify extreme content, drawing users like Westman deeper into toxic subcultures. X posts from users like @BasedMikeLee have called for better moderation, while others, like @GunReformNow, argue that the focus should be on gun control rather than online content alone.
The Community’s Response and Calls for Action
Minneapolis is reeling from the loss of Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, whose families have shared heartbreaking tributes. Vigils outside Annunciation Church have drawn thousands, with crosses and flowers marking a makeshift memorial. The injured, including 15 children, are receiving care, with seven in critical condition at Hennepin County Medical Center. Community leaders, including Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, have called for unity and action, urging federal and state governments to address gun violence.
The shooting has reignited debates about gun laws and mental health. Minnesota’s 2024 red flag law and 2023 background check requirements failed to flag Westman, who had no prior arrests or documented mental health commitments. Chief O’Hara noted that “no alarms were sounded” as Westman amassed their arsenal, prompting calls for stricter regulations. Meanwhile, advocates like Moms Demand Action argue that banning assault weapons could prevent such attacks.
Hanson’s comments also underscore the need for proactive measures to counter online radicalization. Programs like the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3), which lost $700,000 in Minnesota funding in 2025, aim to identify at-risk individuals. Hanson argued that reinvesting in such initiatives could help detect warning signs, such as Westman’s frequent gun range visits or social media activity.
Moving Forward: Learning from Tragedy
Jim Hanson’s explosive statement has sparked a critical conversation about the forces driving mass shootings. His focus on online radicalization challenges society to confront the role of digital platforms in amplifying hate and violence. While his remarks resonate with those frustrated by vague explanations, they also highlight the complexity of Westman’s motives, which blend personal despair, ideological hatred, and a thirst for infamy.
The Minneapolis community faces a long road to healing. Stories of heroism, like that of 13-year-old Javen Willis, who shielded classmates during the attack, offer hope amid grief. As the nation reflects, Hanson’s call to address radicalization—online and offline—serves as a reminder that preventing future tragedies requires a multifaceted approach: stronger gun laws, better mental health support, and a reckoning with the digital spaces that shape vulnerable minds.
The legacy of Fletcher Merkel, Harper Moyski, and the survivors must be one of action. By heeding Hanson’s warning and learning from this tragedy, we can work toward a future where no community endures such heartbreak again.