Robin Westman, the 23-year-old gunman who opened fire on a Minneapolis Catholic school and church this week, killing two children and wounding 17 others, posted a disturbing manifesto hours before the attack, revealing regret over transitioning and violent fantasies about mass killings.
The writings, shared on YouTube and filled with a mix of Russian Cyrillic characters and English words, documented Westman's deep conflict over gender identity. "I am tired of being trans, I wish I never brain-washed myself," Westman wrote. He described his long hair as "pretty much my last shred of being trans," but admitted he planned to cut it "on the day of the attack."
Court documents show Westman, formerly Robert, legally changed his name in 2020 at age 17 after stating that he identified as female. But in his notes, he confessed regret: "I regret being trans.. I wish I was a girl I just know I cannot achieve that body with the technology we have today. I also can't afford that." In another entry, he wrote, "I know I am not a woman but I definitely don't feel like a man."
Beyond his gender identity struggles, Westman's journal revealed a fascination with mass shootings and detailed reconnaissance of Annunciation Catholic Church and School, where he graduated in 2017 and where his mother, Mary Grace Westman, once worked as a secretary. One entry said he felt the location offered "a good combo of easy attack for me and devastating tragedy."
The writings also contained chilling statements about his intentions. Westman wrote that he wanted to be "the scary horrible monster standing over those powerless kids" and admitted to long-term "morbid obsession" with school shootings, including Sandy Hook.
Investigators said the manifesto showed extensive planning, including scenarios for attacking during breaks, concerts, or the start of the school year. A notebook entry dated in late July said, "things are moving swiftly into place." Authorities confirmed Westman legally purchased the rifle, shotgun, and pistol used in the attack.
The videos he posted online included gun magazines scrawled with "For the children" and "kill Donald Trump." The manifesto, signed "Robin M Westman, 2002-2025," ended with a small bird drawing.
The attack began around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, when Westman opened fire through stained glass windows as students and parishioners prayed during morning Mass. Police said two students, aged 8 and 10, were killed "where they sat." Fourteen of the wounded were children, along with three elderly parishioners.
Westman died at the scene of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Emergency dispatchers described chaos inside the church, with one call reporting "two DOAs inside the church" and medical teams asking for "all the gauze you have" to treat the wounded.
