Minnesota School Shooter Left Disturbing Digital Trail Before Deadly Attack
Minnesota – The deadly school shooting at Annunciation Catholic School’s church is raising fresh questions about mental health, online extremism, and the warning signs missed in the days leading up to the tragedy.
Authorities have identified the shooter as Robin Westman, 23, who killed two children during a Wednesday morning service after firing through stained-glass windows where students were seated in pews. The brutal assault shocked the community and drew national attention to yet another act of violence in a school setting.
A Suicide Note and Digital Warnings
Hours before the shooting, Westman uploaded a suicide note to a YouTube account that has since been taken down. In the letter, she addressed her family and friends, pleading for understanding while at the same time hinting at the violence to come.
Investigators also recovered disturbing videos posted by Westman, including footage of her rifle. She had labeled parts of the weapon, with one chilling inscription on the magazine reading: “For the children, hahahahahahaha.”
“These were not random postings,” a law enforcement source told reporters. “They were deliberate and pointed messages indicating both planning and intent.”
The Attack
Witnesses said Westman entered the church and began firing through the stained-glass windows as children screamed and scrambled for cover. Two young victims were struck and killed instantly, while several others were injured in the chaos before police intervened.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene, where the sanctuary was left in ruins—its shattered windows and bloodstained pews serving as grim reminders of the violence.
Mental Health and Motive
Investigators are examining Westman’s mental health history and online behavior in search of a motive. Friends and family members described her as troubled, but few anticipated she was capable of such an attack.
Digital forensics teams are combing through her deleted accounts and communications, hoping to uncover whether she acted alone or had been influenced by extremist communities online.
National Response
The shooting has reignited debates over gun control, school safety, and the role of social media platforms in detecting threats before they materialize. Lawmakers in Minnesota and beyond have called for urgent hearings on how digital platforms can cooperate with law enforcement to prevent tragedies.
“This is not just about one community,” said a state legislator during a press briefing. “It’s about a national crisis we are facing, and our children are paying the price.”
Ongoing Investigation
The FBI and state authorities continue to work alongside local police to reconstruct Westman’s movements in the days before the attack. Officials stress that the investigation is ongoing and that more information about her background and planning will be released in the coming weeks.
For now, Annunciation Catholic School remains closed as the community mourns the loss of two young lives and demands accountability for a system that failed to stop Westman before she acted.