The mother of Robin Westman, the 23-year-old behind the Minneapolis school shooting, reportedly struggled for years with her child’s gender transition and troubling behavior.
Former teachers recalled that Westman was a lonely student at Annunciation Catholic School. “She didn’t have friends and was often disruptive,” one teacher said. Mary, the shooter’s mother, was frequently called to meetings and appeared nervous.

Mary confided in staff that she was unsure how to handle Robin’s transition from Robert. “I think she was struggling with her Catholic faith,” a former employee explained. Robin later wrote in a disturbing manifesto that his mother should have seen the red flags. “I feel like my mom would have seen it coming,” he admitted.
Robin killed two children and injured 18 others inside the same school he once attended. Investigators are still examining his writings, which revealed anger, depression, and confusion over gender identity.
This tragedy shows the heartbreaking mix of family struggle, mental health, and violence. How can communities spot red flags before it’s too late?