😱 “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” Former NYPD inspector Paul Mauro UNLOADS on those denying the chilling truth behind the Minneapolis shooter’s motives. What critical piece of evidence is being ignored in this heartbreaking tragedy at Annunciation Catholic Church? The answer will shock you and change how you see this case.
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On August 27, 2025, a horrific mass shooting shook Minneapolis when 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire at Annunciation Catholic Church, killing two children and injuring 18 others during a school Mass before taking their own life. The tragedy sparked intense debates about gun violence, mental health, and the shooter’s motives. Amid the discourse, Fox News contributor and retired NYPD inspector Paul Mauro made headlines with his fiery outburst on The Evening Edit, exclaiming, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” as he slammed those who claimed the shooter lacked a clear ideological motive. Mauro argued that evidence pointed to a targeted attack driven by ideological reasons, igniting a firestorm of reactions. This article explores Mauro’s claims, the evidence surrounding Westman’s motives, and the broader implications of the tragedy.
The Minneapolis Tragedy: A Community in Mourning
The attack at Annunciation Catholic Church was a devastating blow to Minneapolis. Two children, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, were killed, and 18 others, including 15 children and three elderly parishioners, were injured. Westman, who legally changed their name from Robert to Robin in 2020 to reflect their transgender identity, fired over 100 rounds through the church’s stained-glass windows before dying by suicide. The shooter’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, had worked at the church until 2021, and Robin had attended the school, adding a deeply personal layer to the tragedy.
Investigators quickly uncovered disturbing evidence, including a manifesto and YouTube videos posted by Westman. These materials revealed a fixation on previous mass shooters, antisemitic and racist slurs scrawled on weapons, and a message reading “Kill Donald Trump” on a firearm magazine. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described Westman’s “deranged obsession” with mass shootings, noting their desire for notoriety. Despite this, some officials, including CNN’s John Miller, suggested the shooter’s motives were unclear, citing the “rambling” nature of their manifesto. It was this claim that sparked Mauro’s impassioned response.
Paul Mauro’s Outburst: “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?”
On August 29, 2025, during an appearance on Fox Business’s The Evening Edit, Paul Mauro, a retired NYPD inspector with a master’s from Harvard and a law degree from Fordham, expressed frustration with those downplaying the shooter’s motives. “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” he exclaimed, arguing that Westman’s attack was “clearly” targeted for “ideological reasons.” Mauro pointed to the shooter’s writings and videos, which expressed hatred toward Christians, Jews, and President Donald Trump, as evidence of a deliberate agenda. He criticized what he saw as an attempt to obscure the ideological underpinnings of the attack, particularly given the targeting of a Catholic church.
Mauro’s comments resonated with conservative audiences, who felt the mainstream media was reluctant to label the shooting as ideologically driven due to Westman’s transgender identity and anti-Trump sentiments. Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with users like @CurtisHouck noting CNN’s hesitance to pinpoint a motive, citing the manifesto’s “rambling” nature. Mauro’s outburst was seen as a call for clarity in a case muddied by competing narratives.
The Evidence: A Complex Web of Hatred
Investigators have pieced together a troubling portrait of Robin Westman’s state of mind. The shooter’s YouTube videos, posted under the handle “Robin W,” showcased a collection of weapons, including a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, adorned with hateful messages like “6 million wasn’t enough” and names of notorious mass shooters, such as Adam Lanza, who killed 26 people at Sandy Hook in 2012. A handwritten journal, partially written in Cyrillic script, detailed Westman’s obsession with killing children and their admiration for past mass shooters. One passage chillingly read, “Think attacking a large group of kids coming in from recess is my best plan.”
The FBI classified the attack as an act of domestic terrorism driven by a “hate-filled ideology,” with Acting U.S. Attorney General for Minnesota Joseph Thompson noting Westman’s expressed hatred toward Jews, Christians, and Trump. However, extremism analysts like Cody Zoschak from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue cautioned that the shooter’s motives were not purely ideological. Westman’s writings also revealed deep self-hatred, depression, and a desire for notoriety, aligning with a trend of school shooters who idolize past perpetrators and seek infamy within “true crime” subcultures.
The Debate Over Motive
Mauro’s assertion that the shooting was ideologically driven has sparked debate. On one hand, the evidence supports his claim: Westman’s targeting of a Catholic church, coupled with anti-Christian and antisemitic rhetoric, suggests a deliberate attack on specific groups. The shooter’s history at Annunciation, both as a student and through their mother’s employment, points to a personal vendetta, possibly fueled by resentment toward the church’s values. The “Kill Donald Trump” message further complicates the narrative, indicating political motivations that clash with the MAGA label some initially assumed.
On the other hand, analysts like Jillian Peterson, a criminology professor at Hamline University, argue that mass shooters often defy simple ideological labels. Peterson noted that shooters like Westman tend to be “young, isolated, depressed, and angry,” with motives rooted in a desire to “go out in a blaze of glory” rather than a coherent political agenda. The contradictory nature of Westman’s writings—hating multiple groups while idolizing mass shooters—supports this view, suggesting a broader misanthropy rather than a singular ideological focus.
The Role of Media and Public Discourse
Mauro’s outburst reflects broader frustrations with how the media handles mass shootings, particularly when they involve complex identities or motives. Conservative commentators, including Benny Johnson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, seized on Westman’s transgender identity to argue that it reflects a pattern of violence, a claim experts like Zoschak dismiss as “extremely rare.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey pushed back, urging against using the tragedy to “villainize” the transgender community, emphasizing that “kids died today” and the focus should remain on them.
The polarized response to Mauro’s comments underscores the challenge of discussing mass shootings in a politically charged climate. His call to acknowledge the shooter’s ideological motives resonates with those who feel the media sanitizes such incidents to avoid uncomfortable truths. However, critics argue that emphasizing ideology risks oversimplifying a tragedy driven by mental health issues, societal pressures, and easy access to firearms.
The Broader Context: Guns, Mental Health, and Notoriety
The Minneapolis shooting has reignited debates about gun control and mental health. Westman legally purchased their weapons—a rifle, shotgun, and pistol—shortly before the attack, with a journal entry noting how “shockingly easy” it was to buy a gun from a pawnshop. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar have called for bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, arguing that such measures could prevent similar tragedies. Meanwhile, critics like Vice President JD Vance defend the role of prayer in mourning, rejecting the idea that it substitutes for action.
Mental health has also come under scrutiny. Westman’s writings described years of depression and suicidal thoughts, yet authorities found no record of state-ordered mental health treatment. A former DHS employee suggested that recently cut funding for Minnesota’s threat assessment programs might have missed warning signs, such as Westman’s breakup, job loss, and frequent gun range visits.
The shooter’s quest for notoriety, a common thread among mass shooters, adds another layer. Chief O’Hara urged media outlets to avoid using Westman’s name, arguing it fuels their desire for infamy. The shooter’s fascination with “true crime” subcultures and past killers like Lanza highlights the role of online communities in amplifying such obsessions.
Moving Forward: Healing and Accountability
As Minneapolis mourns, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and the injured. Vigils have honored Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, whose parents shared heartfelt tributes to their “bright” and “joyful” children. The community is grappling with how to prevent future tragedies while navigating the politicization of the event.
Paul Mauro’s outburst, while polarizing, has sparked a necessary conversation about acknowledging the full scope of a shooter’s motives. His call to recognize the ideological elements of Westman’s attack challenges the tendency to dismiss such acts as merely the product of mental illness. Yet, the complexity of Westman’s profile—marked by personal struggles, societal alienation, and a thirst for notoriety—reminds us that no single explanation suffices.
The Minneapolis shooting is a call to action for addressing gun violence, improving mental health resources, and fostering a media environment that prioritizes truth over sensationalism. As the community heals, the hope is that dialogue can move beyond outrage to solutions that honor the victims and prevent future heartbreak.