Mass shootings in the United States have become regular news, year after year. The tragedy that unfolded on Wednesday, August 27, at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, was more than just a crime story, it was also a political moment. Two children were killed and 17 people were wounded, including 14 children. The shooter, a trans woman (assigned male at birth but identifying as female), was labeled by the FBI as an act of both "terrorism" and a "hate crime" targeting Catholics. In Make America Great Again (MAGA) circles on social media, one term circulated relentlessly throughout the day: "Trans-terrorism."

Robin Westman, the 23-year-old perpetrator of the attack, opened fire from a window in the building before taking her own life. She had three different weapons, all of which were purchased legally. Westman acted alone and knew the premises well from having attended the school as a student. According to court documents, Westman's mother filed a request in November 2019 to change her then 17-year-old daughter's first name. The request was granted two months later.

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