Please be advised that this article contains references to suicide, which may be distressing for some readers.
In a tragic incident in Minneapolis, a school shooting resulted in the deaths of two children and left many others injured. The shooter, 23-year-old Robin Westman, carried out the attack from outside Annunciation Catholic Church on Wednesday, August 27. It was the first week back at school for students following their summer break.
Authorities have confirmed that an eight-year-old and a ten-year-old were declared dead at the scene, with 17 other individuals, including 14 children, sustaining injuries.
Westman had reportedly been present at the school during the previous week while teachers prepared for the upcoming academic year. The shooter’s mother had been employed at the school until her retirement in 2021.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated that Westman had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Prior to the horrific event, Westman left a suicide note addressed to their family and friends.
The note, detailed in a now-removed YouTube video, began with an apology. Westman wrote: “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 apologize 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 also addressed their struggles with mental health, saying: “Please do not think you have failed as parents. I was corrupted by this world and have learned to hate what life is. Life is love, life is pain.”
“I am tired of the pain this world gives out. Please move on and continue to give your love to brothers and sisters, and the rest of the world. They may not forgive you, but you need to move on from me. Forget my life and the pain I have brought.”
The note concluded with a plea to their family to ‘pray for the victims and their families’.
The letter suggested that Westman lost hope believing they were suffering from lung cancer due to vaping. They wrote: “I don’t want the rest of my life to be as a cancer patient, in and out of hospitals, constantly being fretted about with people afraid to be too happy around me,” the shooter added.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress or a crisis, support is available through Mental Health America. You can call or text 988 to connect with a 24-hour crisis center, or visit 988lifeline.org for webchat support. Additionally, the Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting MHA to 741741.