Newly surfaced details about the Annunciation Catholic School shooter paint a disturbing picture of a young man consumed by gender regret and drug use before he killed two children and injured 21 others last week.
Robert Westman was just 17-years-old when he legally changed his name to Robin in 2020 with parental approval. Five years later, Westman opened fire on students participating in a morning Mass service. He fired over 100 shots before taking his own life.
A source who spoke to independent journalist Andy Ngo said Westman’s father, James “Jim” Westman, was affirming of his son’s gender dysphoria while the shooter’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, was conservative, traditionalist, and “heartbroken” over signing the form that petitioned for her son’s new name.
The source told Ngo that they believe Mary Grace was under significant pressure from family members and doctors who told her that her son would kill himself if she did not sign a court document requesting a name change for her son.
According to reports from the Post Millennial and the New York Post, the 23-year-old left behind a manifesto in which he appeared to blame his mother, his gender transition, marijuana use, and vaping for his decision to shoot students at the Minneapolis Catholic school.
“Your words, mother, made me stay in my discomfort unable to ask for help to avoid admitting defeat,” Westman reportedly wrote in his manifesto. “You were right mama, but the way you handled it led me to wanting to kill so so many people.”
In his writings, the shooter recounted that his mother was “VERY antagonistic” when he was “first out” to her. Westman wrote in his manifesto that “She really made me hate myself and think I will never be good enough.”
Further, the shooter recalled that his mother “said something like, ‘In the future you will look back and feel ridiculous about who you feel like you are inside. You will regret this.'”
Westman reportedly added, “Well guess what mom?! I regret being born.”
In addition to blaming his mother, Westman wrote that “Gender and weed f-cked up my head. I wish I never tried experimenting with either. Don’t let your kids smoke weed or change gender until they are like seventeen.”
The New York Post also reported that Westman filmed a video where he expresses regret that he had brainwashed himself into “being trans.” The Post also said Westman placed blame on his vaping habit.
“I wish I could stop vaping but I can’t! If I could stop vaping, I could stop myself from doing this attack, but I just don’t want to,” he reportedly wrote. “Stopping vaping will not get rid of my cancer, nor will it make these fantasies go away.”
While Westman apparently believed he had cancer, there has been no confirmation that he was ever diagnosed with the disease.
Last week, the Daily Mail reported that experts believe Westman’s writings and use of symbols suggest links to shadowy extremist groups online, including networks such as No Lives Matter and the Order of Nine Angels.
These groups, described as satanic, nihilistic, and accelerationist, often glorify mass shooters and recruit vulnerable young people through private encrypted apps.
Despite blaming his mother throughout his notes, Westman’s suicide letter reportedly struck a different tone.
“You did not fail me, you gave me so much. I truly appreciate the love you have given me. I feel I was raised to be a good person,” he reportedly wrote.
“I’ve kept those traits of empathy, self-sacrifice, and good character,” Westman wrote. “Please do not think you have failed as parents.”
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
