NBC’s response to misgendering debacle exposed.
A violent incident at a local church has left the community in shock.
Tragic shooting profiled.
Westman, 23, took the lives of two children and injured more than a dozen others before taking their own life.
The incident occurred at Annunciation Catholic Church during a service last Wednesday.
The two children who died were identified as Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10.
Among the injured were an 11-year-old girl shot in the neck and a 12-year-old girl who underwent surgery to reduce swelling in her skull.
People close to Westman expressed shock, saying they saw no signs of violent behavior.
Shooter’s personal history highlighted.
Westman was born male and legally changed their name in 2020 to reflect a female gender identity.
Court documents stated Westman “identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.”
Personal writings showed Westman had strong feelings of regret about transitioning.
Westman wrote: “I only keep [the long hair] because it is pretty much my last shred of being trans. I am tired of being trans, I wish I never brain-washed myself.”
Reports show Westman legally obtained a number of firearms in the years leading up to the incident.
Neighbors and local residents expressed surprise at the careful preparation behind the attack.
Discussions arose about safety measures at places of worship and how attacks like this might be prevented.
Westman began the process of legally changing their name in 2019 and completed social and legal transition before the attack.
Courts approved the change, illustrating ongoing societal discussions about gender identity.
Experts noted Westman’s writings suggested emotional struggles before the attack.
NBC statement confirmed.
The outlet initially used male pronouns when reporting on Robin Westman, the person responsible for the attack.
An update added to the article read: “A previous version of this article used the wrong pronoun for the shooter. She used female pronouns.”
Many readers expressed frustration that pronoun corrections were prioritized over the tragedy itself.
Some social media users highlighted the focus on language rather than the victims’ suffering.
Posts circulated questioning how news outlets handle sensitive topics in reporting.
The news organization said the correction was made to reflect accuracy in reporting.
Some commentators argued that the focus on pronouns overshadowed the victims’ suffering.
Social media users shared differing views on reporting practices and the coverage of the shooter’s identity.
Critics debated whether the correction was necessary or distracted from the victims’ suffering.
Officials called for a review of security and better protection for children.
Public shock and grief intensify.
Comments ranged from outrage over the children’s deaths to criticism of media reporting practices.
The incident sparked debate about journalistic priorities and the handling of sensitive subjects.
The story prompted discussions about news ethics, language, and accuracy.
Westman’s identity, firearms acquisition, and writings provided context to the tragedy.
Communities across the country reacted to both the tragedy and the media focus on pronoun usage.
The controversy over pronoun corrections in this story continues to fuel conversations about ethics, reporting, and justice.