Former art instructor of the Minneapolis church shooter expressed observations of self-inflicted injuries.
In a shocking turn of events, Robin Westman, a former student at Annunciation Catholic School, opened fire at the school's church during morning Mass on Wednesday, resulting in the tragic loss of two children and the injury of 18 other worshippers.
Westman, who was found dressed in black "tactical" gear with at least two firearms nearby, was later discovered dead at the rear of the church with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. According to officials, approximately 120 shell casings from three different guns were found at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, but a heavily redacted police report from 2018 shows that mental health was noted as the reason for a police call to a townhouse where Westman lived with her mother.
Westman, who is a transgender woman, was a student in Sarah Reely's art class in 2017 at an all-boys prep school in Minnesota. Reely, who noticed signs of self-harm on Westman's arm during her time in her class, reported it. However, Westman eventually transferred schools, and Reely always hoped that her former student was OK.
Reely declined to speak to NBC News about Westman but wrote a Facebook post on Thursday saying that self-harm is always a sign something is wrong. She also stated that every murderer was once a kid in someone's classroom who needed help, and that this issue is so much deeper and more complicated than we want to admit.
Westman had a "fascination" with mass shootings, and authorities suggest she "wanted to watch children suffer." However, it does not appear any alarms were sounded as Westman amassed an arsenal for the attack, despite Minnesota having a red flag law.
Robin Westman did not fit in at the school, as one might imagine would happen to a queer kid in a conservative environment, and Reely intentionally made a point to build a relationship with her.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, resources for crisis support are available at 988lifeline.org and SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources. Reely's statement is not posted to build sympathy for a murderer or place blame on any one person or entity for failing to stop this. Instead, it serves as a call to action for us all to be more vigilant and supportive, especially towards those who may be struggling.
