{"id":36437,"date":"2025-08-30T14:11:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-30T14:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=36437"},"modified":"2025-08-30T14:11:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T14:11:11","slug":"new-details-emerge-in-investigation-of-robin-westman-suspect-in-deadly-annunciation-catholic-church-shooting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=36437","title":{"rendered":"New Details Emerge in Investigation of Robin Westman, Suspect in Deadly Annunciation Catholic Church Shooting"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Robin<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Robin Westman | A parent and their child after the Annunciation Church shooting | Source: Facebook\/David J Harris Jr. | Getty Images<\/div>\n

New Details Emerge in Investigation of Robin Westman, Suspect in Deadly Annunciation Catholic Church Shooting<\/h1>\n
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As Minneapolis mourns, investigators are piecing together the suspect’s unraveling life, with new warrants exposing fragments that may explain the chaos that occurred inside Annunciation Catholic Church.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A devastating twist<\/strong> has rocked the investigation into the deadly church massacre<\/strong> that left two young children dead and dozens injured, as investigators uncover chilling new clues<\/strong> about the disturbed 23-year-old suspect<\/strong> who unleashed terror inside a peaceful Minnesota parish.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Robin Westman<\/strong>, the heavily armed shooter <\/strong>who opened fire during morning Mass<\/strong> at Annunciation Catholic Church, was reeling from a recent breakup<\/strong><\/a> and staying with a friend<\/strong> in St. Louis Park when they launched their assault<\/strong>, according to explosive documents. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Court records reveal that Robin <\/strong>had been living in a Richfield apartment before their romantic relationship ended. Following the breakup, they moved in with an older friend.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Families<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Families walk with children away from Annunciation Church after the shooting during a school Mass in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The suspect’s father gave investigators access to his Minneapolis home<\/a>, where officers seized a tactical vest<\/strong>, two computer drives<\/strong>, and a collection of miscellaneous documents <\/strong>that may contain critical information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Adding to the chilling nature of the crime, the van used in the attack<\/strong> was registered to the suspect’s dad<\/strong>, authorities confirmed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Law<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Law enforcement officers secure the area outside Annunciation Church in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The rampage<\/strong><\/a> unfolded just after sunrise, sending worshipers screaming and scrambling for cover as the suspect, dressed head-to-toe in black tactical gear, opened fire.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The result? Two innocent children<\/strong>, just 8 and 10 years old<\/strong>, were gunned down in cold blood<\/strong>. 18 others<\/strong>, most of them schoolchildren, suffered injuries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Minneapolis<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara speaks during a press conference as Mayor Jacob Frey listens following the Annunciation Church shooting on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Robin reportedly died at the scene<\/a> from a self-inflicted gunshot wound<\/strong>, bringing the horror to an end but leaving a city \u2014 and a nation \u2014 shattered and searching for answers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In another bizarre twist<\/strong>, police say they’ve been unable to speak<\/strong> with Mary Grace Westman<\/strong>, the suspect’s mother, who so far has refused to cooperate<\/strong> with the investigation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"A<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A woman embraces a child outside Annunciation Church after the shooting in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Through her attorney, Ryan Garry<\/strong>, she issued a brief but emotional message, telling<\/a> Fox News that she is “deeply distraught”<\/strong> and maintains that she is not involved in the crime. <\/strong>Ryan added that his client has retained legal counsel to handle all further communication.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Furthermore, since the Annunciation Church shooting,<\/strong> investigators have uncovered a bizarre, <\/strong>rage-filled manifesto<\/strong><\/a> allegedly written by Robin.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Police<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Police secure the scene outside Annunciation Catholic Church after a gunman opened fire during a school Mass, killing two children and injuring others, on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The disturbing writings<\/strong><\/a>, partially encoded in Cyrillic characters and phonetic English<\/strong>, are now casting a chilling new light<\/strong> on the shooter’s<\/strong> inner turmoil<\/strong>, fractured family life, and explosive resentment<\/strong> in the days leading up to the deadly attack.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In a haunting entry dated July 1<\/strong>, the suspect appeared to wrestle with deep resentment<\/strong> toward their mother during an upcoming visit, writing<\/a>, “Your words, mother, made me stay in my discomfort unable to ask for help to avoid admitting defeat. You were right mama, but the way you handled it led me to wanting to kill so so many people.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Parents<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Parents and students gather outside Annunciation Church in Minneapolis after the shooting on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In another raw confession<\/strong>, the shooter <\/strong>expressed regret over past choices involving both gender identity and drug use<\/strong>, lamenting<\/a>, “Gender and weed [expletive] up my head. I wish I never tried experimenting with either. Don’t let your kids smoke weed or change gender until they are like seventeen.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Robin’s writings also describe years of painful rejection<\/strong>, especially in connection to their gender identity. In one recollection, the shooter described feeling crushed and worthless<\/strong> after opening up to their mom.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Families<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Families comfort one another near Annunciation Church following the deadly shooting in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“When I was first out to my mother, she was VERY antagonistic. She really made me hate myself and think I will never be good enough,” they wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“I remember one day, she said something like, ‘In the future you will look back and feel ridiculous about who you feel like you are inside. You will regret this.’<\/strong> Well guess what mom?! I regret being born,” Robin continued<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Parents<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Parents lead their children out of Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis after the church shooting on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In a shocking new development, federal agents have expanded the investigation to Florida<\/strong>, where the FBI reportedly visited a condominium linked<\/a> to Mary <\/strong>earlier this week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Officials in Collier County<\/strong> confirmed that local deputies had already visited the same address just one day before the shooting<\/strong> for a welfare check involving a juvenile<\/strong>. While the Sheriff’s Office insists<\/strong> the call was unrelated to Robin or the shooting, the timing has raised fresh concerns<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The FBI, for its part, declined to comment<\/strong><\/a> on its activities in Florida \u2014 but the agency’s presence has fueled speculation about what role, if any, Mary may have played in the weeks or days preceding the horrific bloodbath<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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As of Thursday, Minneapolis police confirmed that the FBI is still trying to locate her<\/strong>. The reason for the search<\/a> has not been disclosed<\/strong>, and officials have refused to say<\/strong> whether it’s for questioning or another legal purpose.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"People<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

People visiting a memorial in front of Annunciation Catholic Church on August 28, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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As we previously reported<\/strong>, in a community torn apart by bloodshed inside a sacred space<\/strong>, the shattered families of Fletcher Merkel<\/strong>, 8, and Harper Moyski<\/strong>, 10, are remembering the children’s boundless spirits and the devastation<\/i> left behind after a shooter opened fire at a Catholic school. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"A<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A memorial in front of Annunciation Catholic Church on August 28, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Now, with tears still fresh<\/strong>, these parents are refusing to let the tragedy fade into the background. They’re demanding accountability, remembrance<\/strong>, and, above all, change<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Parents<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Parents outside Annunciation School following the mass shooting on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The lives of Fletcher <\/strong>and Harper <\/strong>were cut short<\/a> in a hail of bullets<\/strong> when a 23-year-old former student unleashed terror at Annunciation Catholic Church<\/strong> in Minneapolis. The children were just steps away from their classrooms<\/strong> when the gunman opened fire through church windows in a rampage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"The<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Annunciation Catholic Church behind police tape following the mass shooting on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Fletcher<\/strong>, an outdoors-loving, sports-obsessed 8-year-old, was remembered by his grieving father, Jesse Merkel<\/strong>, in a powerful, emotional statement<\/a> outside the school:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Yesterday, a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son, Fletcher, away from us. Because of their actions, we will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him, and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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\"People<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

People at a vigil at Lynnhurst Park to mourn the dead and pray for the wounded after the gunman opened fire on students at Annunciation Catholic Church on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Fighting back tears, Jesse spoke of a boy who was happiest with a fishing pole in one hand and cooking utensils in the other<\/strong>. A child who lived life with joy, laughter, and energy \u2014 until that joy was snuffed out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Jesse revealed that Fletcher also loved his family, his friends<\/strong>, and any sport he was allowed to play.<\/strong> “While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time, our family can find healing. I pray that the other victim’s family can find some semblance of the same,” he continued<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"A<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A woman at a memorial for the shooting victims at Annunciation Catholic Church on August 28, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Harper <\/strong>was described<\/a> by her grieving parents as a “bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Michael Moyski<\/strong> and Jackie Flavin<\/strong> released a heart-wrenching statement honoring the little girl whose laughter echoed in every room she entered <\/i>\u2014 her life now reduced to memories<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"People<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

People at a vigil at Lynnhurst Park to mourn the dead and pray for the wounded after the gunman opened fire on students at Annunciation Catholic Church on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The couple also revealed<\/a> the devastating toll on Harper’s younger sister<\/strong>, who adored her big sibling \u2014 and now must carry the unbearable burden<\/i> of her absence:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Our hearts are broken not only as parents, but also for Harper’s sister, who adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss. As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Members<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Members of the church comforting one another after a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In total, 18 people were injured<\/strong> \u2014 15 of them children<\/strong>. All are expected to survive, thanks in large part to quick-thinking staff and heroic students<\/strong> who took swift action.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Jesse <\/strong>called out those acts of bravery, saying<\/a>, “Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more. For these people, I’m thankful.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Police<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Police working the scene at Annunciation Catholic School on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Through their pain, both families are demanding that Fletcher and Harper’s deaths not become another statistic<\/strong> in America’s worsening gun crisis. They are calling on lawmakers, school leaders, and communities to finally step up \u2014 before more lives are stolen. In their statement, Harper’s parents <\/strong>pleaded<\/strong><\/a>: <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain. We urge our leaders and communities to take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country. Change is possible, and it is necessary \u2014 so that Harper’s story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Parents<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Parents at the Annunciation School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 27, 2025. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Jesse, in turn, urged<\/a> people to remember not the shooting, but the boy who was stolen by it. He added that others should give their children “an extra hug and kiss today” and asked that Fletcher be remembered as “the person he was, and not the act that ended his life.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Toys<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Toys and flowers at a memorial after the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 27, 2025. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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As Minneapolis mourns, the haunting image of two lifeless children in the pews of their church<\/i> will not be forgotten anytime soon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But their parents refuse to let grief be the final word<\/strong> \u2014 turning anguish into activism in the hopes that no more parents are forced to stand where they are standing now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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news.AmoMama.com does not support or promote any kind of violence, self-harm, or abusive behavior. We raise awareness about these issues to help potential victims seek professional counseling and prevent anyone from getting hurt. news.AmoMama.com speaks out against the above mentioned and news.AmoMama.com advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. that benefits the victims. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Robin Westman | A parent and their child after the Annunciation Church shooting | Source: Facebook\/David J Harris Jr. | Getty Images New Details Emerge in Investigation of Robin Westman, … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":36438,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36437","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36437","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=36437"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36437\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36439,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36437\/revisions\/36439"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/36438"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36437"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36437"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36437"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}