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Fact check: Did the Minneapolis shooter have Arabic phrases written on his gun/magazine?

Checked on August 28, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, yes, the Minneapolis shooter did have Arabic phrases written on his gun/magazine. Specifically, multiple sources confirm that "Mashallah" - an Arabic phrase meaning "God has willed it" - was written on one of the magazines [1] [2].

However, the Arabic phrase was just one element among numerous hateful messages found on the shooter's weapons. The analyses reveal a pattern of diverse hate-filled content including:

  • "Nuke India" written on magazines [1] [3]
  • "Kill Donald Trump" and "Burn Israel" [3]
  • Antisemitic messages and racial/religious slurs [4] [2]
  • Anti-Christian messages mocking Christ [2]
  • The name "Rupnow" referencing the Abundant Life school shooter [5]
  • Other phrases like "psycho killer" and "suck on this!" [4]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question focuses narrowly on Arabic phrases, potentially missing the broader context of the shooter's comprehensive hate messaging. The analyses reveal that the shooter targeted multiple religious, ethnic, and political groups simultaneously [2] [3].

Key missing context includes:

  • The Arabic phrase "Mashallah" appeared alongside explicitly anti-Islamic content like "Nuke India" and "Burn Israel" [1] [3]
  • The shooter displayed anti-Christian sentiment while attacking a Catholic school [2]
  • The messages suggest indiscriminate hatred rather than allegiance to any particular ideology [4] [2] [3]

Alternative viewpoints on the significance:

  • Those promoting anti-Islamic narratives might benefit from emphasizing only the Arabic phrase while ignoring the anti-Muslim messages
  • Those seeking to downplay religious motivations might focus on the shooter's apparent mental health issues and broad targeting
  • Media organizations benefit from sensationalizing specific elements that generate more engagement

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question, while factually answerable as "yes," contains potential for misleading interpretation through its narrow focus. By asking specifically about Arabic phrases without mentioning the broader context of hate messages, it could:

  • Imply religious motivation where the evidence suggests indiscriminate hatred across multiple groups [2] [3]
  • Feed into existing biases about Islamic extremism when the shooter actually wrote anti-Islamic messages alongside the Arabic phrase [1] [3]
  • Obscure the full scope of the shooter's hateful ideology, which targeted Christians, Jews, Muslims, Indians, and political figures alike [4] [2] [3]

The question's framing could serve those who benefit from promoting divisive narratives about specific religious or ethnic groups, while the complete evidence shows a shooter with comprehensive hatred rather than targeted ideological motivation.

Want to dive deeper?
What was the motive behind the Minneapolis shooting?
Were there any Arabic phrases found on the shooter's social media profiles?
How common is it for shooters to have phrases or symbols on their guns?
What role did the shooter's gun markings play in the investigation?
Were there any other notable features on the shooter's gun or magazine?