On Wednesday morning, a tragic shooting occurred at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuries to 17 others. The shooter, identified as Robin Westman, opened fire on the school while students and staff attended a mass service. Following the attack, Westman took his own life.
The incident has sparked significant debate, particularly regarding how to refer to the shooter. Westman, who identified as transgender, was the focus of intense discussions among Wikipedia editors. Some editors sought to change references of Westman from male to female, arguing that using the birth name Robert constituted "deadnaming," which is against Wikipedia’s guidelines. One editor emphasized that Wikipedia should reflect how individuals identify, regardless of their actions.
However, this approach faced backlash. Critics argued that omitting the shooter’s birth name, especially when it appeared in major news outlets, was misleading. They contended that Wikipedia’s goal should be to present accurate information, even if it’s uncomfortable.
Despite the heated discussions, the Wikipedia article on the shooting currently refers to Westman exclusively using female pronouns and does not mention the birth name. It does note that Westman is transgender.
In addition to the controversy over the shooter’s identity, there was also debate about the FBI’s classification of the shooting as a hate crime. Some editors questioned whether Catholics should be considered a protected group under hate crime laws. Others pointed out that hate crimes can include acts against any identifiable group, including Christians.
As the investigation continues, the FBI is treating the shooting as both an act of domestic terrorism and an anti-Catholic hate crime. Westman had expressed deep-seated hatred towards various groups, including Catholics and Jews, in writings and videos prior to the attack. In one disturbing entry, Westman mentioned regretting his transgender identity and feeling trapped by it.
This tragic event has not only affected the victims and their families but has also ignited discussions about identity, violence, and how society remembers those involved in such incidents.
