Minneapolis School Shooter Had Recent Breakup Before Deadly Attack, Warrants Show
Search warrants unsealed after the Annunciation Catholic Church school shooting in Minneapolis detail a troubling period in the life of the gunman, 23-year-old Robin Westman. According to investigators, Westman had recently ended a relationship and was staying with a friend in St. Louis Park instead of his Richfield apartment.
On August 27, Westman entered the Catholic school during morning Mass armed with multiple legally purchased firearms. He opened fire, killing two children and injuring more than a dozen others before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Evidence Points to Personal Turmoil
The warrants note that Westman’s father confirmed the breakup and the move, details that now add context to the gunman’s emotional state leading up to the tragedy. While police have not identified a single motive, investigators say Westman left behind disturbing online writings and videos expressing despair and admiration for past mass shooters.
In addition to the breakup, authorities uncovered a 2018 welfare check tied to Westman, suggesting past struggles with mental health.
Community in Mourning
The attack shocked the Minneapolis community and the Annunciation parish, where families had gathered for worship and school activities. The two young victims, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, are being remembered in vigils across the city.
Neighbors have described Westman as quiet and unremarkable, making the violence even more difficult for many to understand.
What Comes Next
Authorities continue to piece together Westman’s final weeks to determine whether warning signs were missed and whether more could have been done to prevent the attack.
