From Gaming to Real Life: Minneapolis Case Raises Tough Questions

New details have emerged about Robin Westman, the 23-year-old who carried out the tragic shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025. Westman, who opened fire through windows during a school Mass, killing two children and injuring 18 others, reportedly asked security guards at the medical cannabis dispensary where they worked about firearms before the attack. Additionally, coworkers said Westman was obsessed with playing violent video games, especially the popular first-person shooter "Call of Duty." Despite these warning signs, colleagues said Westman never indicated any plans for violence.

Subtle Signs and a Troubling Journal

Westman, who used they/them pronouns, worked at the Rise medical cannabis dispensary starting in late March 2025 and remained employed until about a week before the shooting. Though they appeared kind and funny to co-workers and never threatened or fought with anyone, they wrote extensively in a journal. Staff often saw Westman scribbling during work and social events but were unaware of the contents until law enforcement discovered a manifesto after the shooting.

This manifesto revealed chilling insights: Westman expressed an intent to kill former President Donald Trump and showed a disturbing fascination with previous school shooters. It included photos of gun cartridges inscribed with racial and antisemitic messages, as well as an image of a shooting target placed over Jesus Christ. These writings painted a violent and hateful mindset kept hidden from colleagues.

A Complex and Troubled Individual

According to sources, Westman once criticized organized religion during a group discussion, calling it corrupting, and mentioned disliking Donald Trump, but rarely spoke about politics. Prior to the attack, Westman appeared outwardly normal enough to maintain a job while struggling privately with intense and troubling thoughts.

Investigations report that Westman had no criminal record and no known mental health history that would have prevented the lawful acquisition of firearms. Westman legally purchased multiple weapons, including the rifle, shotgun, and pistol used in the attack, shortly before the shooting. Police continue to seek a fuller understanding of motives and mental state from Westman’s writings and actions before the massacre.

The Shooting and Immediate Aftermath

On the morning of August 27, Westman targeted students attending Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School, firing through stained-glass windows. The assault claimed the lives of an 8-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl and wounded 18 others, many seriously. Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.

The community and law enforcement remain shaken as they work to piece together the events leading up to this horrific attack. The fact that Westman was previously employed within the community and showed no overt signs of violent intent deepens concerns surrounding gun access and the challenges in identifying warning signs in individuals.

Reflection and Continuing Investigation

Police are combing through Westman’s journal and digital footprint to better understand the radicalization and planning behind the attack. Videos surfaced showing Westman’s obsession with violence, including drawings of the church interior and weapons. Authorities are also interviewing family members, friends, and colleagues to establish whether opportunities were missed to intervene.

The tragic shooting has reignited debate over gun control, mental health resources, and how communities can detect and prevent such extremist violence before it escalates. As the city mourns those lost, additional questions loom about the complex intersections of personal turmoil, ideology, and access to firearms.

Robin Westman’s attack at the Minneapolis Catholic school remains a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of modern mass violence and the urgent need for comprehensive preventive strategies across social, psychological, and policy domains.