A 4-page handwritten note from the gunman, 23-year-old Robin Westman, has been discovered by detectives as part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic Minneapolis Catholic school massacre. The note, which was sent to family and friends, offers a unique window into the mental anguish that preceded the assault that killed two children and injured numerous others.
Shooter’s Words to Family
“I don’t expect forgiveness, and I don’t expect any apology. I have to hold much weight. But to my family and those close to me, I do apologise for the effects my actions will have on your lives. Please know I care for all of you so much, and it pains me to bring this storm of chaos into your lives. This will affect so many more people than the ones that are immediately involved,” Westman wrote.
The letter reflects a conflicted state of mind, one where the shooter recognised the devastation the attack would cause, yet still chose to carry it out.
Background of the Attack
The incident started earlier this week when Westman, armed and ready, entered a Minneapolis Catholic parish school. Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed in the attack, and more than a dozen people, including parishioners in their 70s and 80s, were injured. One of the most horrifying acts of violence the city has seen in recent memory, according to authorities, was the shooting.
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Digital Trail and Evidence
Alongside the handwritten letter, investigators also found online writings and video material documenting Westman’s thoughts. Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the evidence revealed “a classic pathway to an active shooter,” noting how Westman’s struggles with depression, isolation, and fixation on violence escalated over time.
Authorities believe the attack had been in planning for years, with Westman leaving behind clues that fit known behavioral patterns in cases of mass shootings.
Community Reactions
The shooting has shaken Minneapolis, with vigils held outside the parish where residents prayed for the young victims and their families. Mayor Jacob Frey called the attack “an unimaginable tragedy,” while urging the public not to direct hate toward the transgender community, after Westman’s gender identity surfaced in media coverage.
Religious leaders have echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need for compassion, healing, and broader awareness of mental health issues that often go unaddressed until it is too late.
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Broader Concerns Raised
The note’s discovery has rekindled discussions about preventive intervention, gun access, and mental health. Writings such as Westman’s frequently expose intense internal turmoil and act as warning signs that, if detected sooner, might be able to stop such violent acts, according to experts.
“This is not just about one individual but about the systems that fail to catch warning signs,” said a psychologist working with trauma survivors in Minnesota.
