Teacher Reported Shooter’s Signs of Self-Harm Years Before Minneapolis Church Killings

Teacher Reported Shooter’s Signs of Self-Harm Years Before Minneapolis Church Killings

Minneapolis — New details are emerging about Robin Westman, the 27-year-old accused in the fatal shootings at a South Minneapolis church last week. According to school records and interviews, a teacher raised concerns nearly a decade ago about Westman’s signs of self-harm and instability — concerns that were documented but appear to have gone largely unaddressed.

Early Warnings in High School

Former educators at Roosevelt High School confirmed that Westman’s sophomore English teacher flagged troubling behavior in 2014, including journal entries referencing self-injury and isolation from peers. The teacher filed a report with school counselors, noting that Westman seemed “withdrawn, angry, and potentially at risk of harming himself.”

“He was clearly struggling, and I did what I was supposed to do — I reported it,” the teacher, who asked not to be identified, said in an interview. “But after that, I never heard anything more about whether he got help.”

District officials confirmed that a referral was made to a school social worker but declined to provide further details, citing privacy laws.

The Path to Violence

Prosecutors allege that Westman entered the Minneapolis church armed with two handguns and opened fire during a Wednesday evening Bible study, killing three people and injuring four others. Authorities are still searching for a motive, but court documents reveal a history of minor criminal charges and social media posts expressing distrust of religious institutions.

Family members told investigators that Westman had long battled depression and felt “abandoned” by mental health providers. They said his erratic behavior intensified in recent years, with episodes of paranoia and hostility toward neighbors.

Systemic Gaps Highlighted

The revelation that a teacher flagged Westman’s mental health struggles years before the killings is raising questions about how schools, families, and public health agencies respond when young people show warning signs.

“This is exactly the kind of missed opportunity we keep seeing in the aftermath of mass violence,” said Dr. Melissa Harper, a clinical psychologist who studies school safety. “The signals were there. The system simply didn’t connect the dots, or if it did, it didn’t sustain the support over time.”

Mental health advocates stressed that schools often lack resources to provide long-term intervention, particularly for students from low-income families.

Community in Mourning

As residents gathered for vigils outside the church this weekend, many said the tragedy underscores the urgent need for reform.

“It’s heartbreaking to know that someone saw the pain he was in years ago,” said Rev. Jonathan Ellis, pastor of a neighboring congregation. “We need to find a way to step in earlier, so it doesn’t get to this point.”

The victims — two women and one man, all longtime parishioners — were remembered as “pillars of the congregation.” The church has established a memorial fund to support the families.

What Comes Next

Westman is being held without bail at the Hennepin County Jail and faces multiple counts of first-degree murder. His defense attorney has indicated that mental health will play a central role in the case.

Meanwhile, state lawmakers are renewing calls for stronger red-flag laws and increased school funding for mental health counselors.

“This tragedy was years in the making,” said Rep. Linda Ochoa (DFL–Minneapolis). “We have to do better at listening to those early warnings, or we will continue to see lives shattered.”