— A former art teacher says she reported signs of self-harm in 2017 by Robin Westman, the 23-year-old who opened fire during morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis on Wednesday, killing two children and injuring 18, before dying of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Key Takeaways
- Former teacher Sarah Reely says she observed and reported self-harm indicators on Westman’s arm while teaching her in 2017 at a Minnesota all-boys prep school.
- The attack occurred just before 8:30 a.m. Wednesday during Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church; two children were killed and 18 worshippers were injured.
- Westman, a transgender woman and former Annunciation student, was found dead at the rear of the church; police say she wore black tactical gear.
- Investigators collected about 120 shell casings and say three firearms were used: a rifle, a pistol, and a shotgun.
- Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Westman appeared fascinated with mass shootings; a federal prosecutor said she expressed a desire to see children suffer.
- Police report no prior criminal record beyond a traffic ticket; a redacted 2018 police call to her home listed mental health as the reason.
- Minnesota’s red flag law has been in effect since January 2024, but authorities say no petition was filed to restrict Westman’s access to guns.
- The investigation remains active as authorities map the timeline and motive.
Verified Facts
Sarah Reely, who taught Westman for a year at a Minnesota all-boys preparatory school, said she recognized her former student in photos after the church attack. Reely wrote on Facebook that she had reported seeing evidence of self-harm on Westman’s arm in 2017 and believed the student needed support at the time.
On Wednesday, police say Westman fired a rifle through the side windows of the church at Annunciation Catholic School shortly before 8:30 a.m., striking parishioners seated in pews. Two children were killed and 18 other worshippers were injured.
Responding officers found Westman at the rear of the church with what investigators described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Authorities say she wore black tactical-style clothing and had at least two firearms nearby; investigators later confirmed three weapons were involved.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said roughly 120 shell casings were recovered and described evidence that Westman had a longstanding interest in mass shootings. Acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Joseph Thompson said Westman expressed an intent to cause suffering to children.
O’Hara said police have no information confirming a diagnosed mental illness and that Westman’s record included only a traffic ticket. A heavily redacted 2018 police report shows officers responded to the townhouse where Westman lived with her mother for a call flagged as related to mental health.
Context & Impact
The case has renewed scrutiny of Minnesota’s red flag law, which took effect in January 2024. The statute allows family members and certain officials to petition a court for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) to temporarily remove firearms from someone deemed a danger to themselves or others.
Authorities have not indicated that any ERPO petition was filed for Westman, raising questions about awareness of warning signs and how information such as a 2018 mental-health-related call might intersect with the law’s processes.
Experts caution that self-harm and social isolation are risk factors for suicide but are not, on their own, predictors of violence toward others. The incident underscores the importance of early intervention, safe firearm storage, and timely reporting when concerning behaviors escalate.
For the Annunciation community, the path forward will include trauma support, funeral arrangements for the children who were killed, and a long investigation that may reveal more about Westman’s preparation and access to weapons.
Timeline: What Officials Say Happened
- 2017: Teacher reports observing self-harm signs on Westman while she was a student at a Minnesota prep school.
- 2018: Police respond to Westman’s residence for a call marked as mental-health-related, per a redacted report.
- Jan. 2024: Minnesota’s red flag law takes effect.
- Wed., just before 8:30 a.m.: Shots fired through church windows at Annunciation Catholic Church during Mass.
- After the attack: Westman found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound; police recover about 120 casings and three guns.
Official Statements
We recovered approximately 120 casings and evidence of a fixation on mass shootings.
Brian O’Hara, Minneapolis Police Chief
She expressed that she wanted to watch children suffer.
Joseph Thompson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota
Unconfirmed
- How and when Westman acquired each firearm.
- Whether any ERPO or similar intervention was considered or attempted by family or authorities.
- Any formal mental health diagnosis or treatment history.
- A detailed motive beyond statements attributed by officials.
Bottom Line
A former teacher’s account of earlier self-harm underscores years of concern preceding a mass shooting that killed two children and injured 18 at a Minneapolis church. Investigators are piecing together Westman’s preparations, access to guns, and potential missed intervention points under Minnesota’s relatively new red flag law.
The community faces a long recovery while authorities pursue answers that could inform prevention strategies and support for at-risk individuals.