At least two children were killed and 17 others injured on Wednesday, August 27, when a gunman opened fire on students attending Mass at a Catholic church in Minneapolis. Armed with three guns, the attacker fired through stained-glass windows into the parish school gathering, Reuters reported.
Suspect Identified as Former Student
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara identified the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman, who died by suicide near the church after the attack. According to investigators, Westman once studied at the school and knew its layout well. His mother also worked there as a secretary.
Diary Notes Reveal Detailed Planning
Authorities discovered handwritten notes and online posts that shed light on the meticulous planning behind the assault. In a July 25 entry, Westman circled the date of the first all-school Mass: “Oooo! Aug. 27th, that is an all-school mass.”
He studied the school’s online schedule and conducted a “trial run” on August 10. In one note, he described visiting Starbucks at 8:40 a.m. before walking toward the church around 9:30 a.m.
Reconnaissance and Attack Strategy
Westman’s writings, partly in Russian Cyrillic and English, detailed his intended entry points, escape routes, and even parking choices. He noted: “I went to that school so I know the layout.”
He also considered parking in a handicap spot but worried it might appear suspicious.
Also Read: Minnesota Shooter’s Secret Past: Name Change, School Ties, And Trump Link
Familiar Surroundings Chosen as Target
The gunman revealed he selected the school and neighboring church because of his familiarity with the area. During earlier visits, he observed mostly older worshippers and “mom-aged ladies with very young kids.”
While police have not disclosed the motive, the attacker’s writings suggest a calculated, premeditated assault on a place he once belonged to. Investigators are now analyzing his diary, YouTube activity, and other online traces to piece together his state of mind.
