An art teacher who had Robin Westman, the shooter involved in the tragic incident at Annunciation Catholic Church, as a student in 2017, has shared her perspective on the events leading up to this devastating attack. Sarah Reely, who taught Westman at an all-boys prep school in Minnesota, reported noticing signs of self-harm on her student’s arm during their time together. In a heartfelt Facebook post on Thursday, Reely expressed her concerns over the evident struggles Westman faced as a young individual.
Reely recounted that Westman was in her class for a year, during which she observed troubling signs. "Self-harm is either a cry for help, an indication of self-hate, or both. But it’s always a sign that something is wrong," Reely emphasized in her post. This reflection came after Westman, now 23, opened fire during morning Mass at the church in Minneapolis, tragically killing two children and injuring 18 other worshippers.
Upon seeing a photo of Westman after the shooting, Reely immediately recognized her former student. She described Westman as “a kid who needed help,” pointing out that although Westman had unique interests—such as a fascination with furries and unconventional artwork—she did not exhibit violent behavior during her time in Reely's class. “Being odd isn’t a red flag—I was an odd kid myself and have always had a heart for the odd kids,” Reely stated, reflecting on the necessity for understanding and support in educational environments.
Reely further elaborated that Westman did not fit in well at the school, a situation that could be expected for a queer child in a conservative setting. She made it a point to build a relationship with Westman, hoping to provide the support her student needed. “I always hoped that my former student was okay,” Reely mentioned, highlighting the importance of mentorship in schools.
Despite the tragic outcome, Reely clarified her intentions in sharing her story. “I am NOT posting this to build sympathy for a murderer or place blame on any one person or entity for failing to stop this,” she wrote. Instead, she aimed to shed light on the broader systemic issues at play, noting that every murderer was once a child who needed help, and emphasizing the complexity of such situations.
On Wednesday morning, Westman unleashed a barrage of gunfire through the side windows of Annunciation Catholic School, targeting children seated in the pews just before 8:30 a.m. It was revealed that Westman was once a student at the school, and her mother, Mary Grace Westman, had also worked there. Following the attack, Westman was found deceased at the rear of the church, having sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. She was dressed in black tactical gear and had at least two firearms nearby, according to police reports.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported that approximately 120 shell casings were found at the scene, indicating the use of three different guns during the shooting. He also mentioned that Westman had a disturbing “fascination” with mass shootings, while the acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, Joseph Thompson, stated that she harbored intentions to “watch children suffer.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, authorities have indicated that there is currently no information suggesting Westman suffered from mental illness. Other than a traffic ticket, she had no prior police record. However, a heavily redacted police report from 2018 revealed that police had previously been called to her townhouse, with mental health concerns noted as the reason for the visit.
In light of this incident, it's worth noting that Minnesota has a red flag law that will go into effect in January 2024. This law allows family members and others to petition the courts to have firearms removed from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or the community. Unfortunately, it seems that no alarms were raised as Westman accumulated a stockpile of weapons, including a rifle, a pistol, and a shotgun used in the church attack.
The investigation into this tragic shooting remains ongoing, and it continues to raise significant questions about mental health support, systemic failures, and the need for vigilance in addressing the needs of at-risk youth.
