Robert “Robin” Westman, the trans-identifying man who killed two children and injured 19 others at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis last week, had recently ended a long-term romantic relationship, which investigators say contributed to his escalating obsession and planning for the attack.
Authorities reviewing his journals and social media found repeated references to his former partner, 22-year-old Abigail Bodick, whom he described as a source of anger and distress.
Bodick has been described in media reports as a “furry,” someone who enjoys dressing up as anthropomorphic animals.
Westman repeatedly labeled her a “catalyst” for his suffering and wrote about regretting the relationship.
Court records indicate he pointed a firearm at her in the weeks before the massacre, feeling no remorse but worrying that harming her would interfere with his larger plans.
Investigators note that these entries suggest a preoccupation that may have fueled the violence against the school.
Photos and social media posts show the couple together as recently as 2022, attending Renaissance fairs, visiting aquariums and selling items at local craft events.
Investigators say Westman’s journals reveal a sharp decline in mental stability following the breakup.
His writings became increasingly unhinged, reflecting both personal fixation and violent premeditation.
Entries also reveal an unusual fascination with furries, linking the subculture to dissatisfaction with his own appearance and identity.
In one entry, he wrote that he liked feeling “sexy and cute” but disliked his own face, which may explain his attraction to furries as a form of escapism, the New York Post reports.
On the morning of the attack, Westman fired 116 rounds from a rifle through stained-glass windows during Mass.
Eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, 10, were killed, while 16 students and three elderly parishioners were injured before Westman took his own life.
Investigators are analyzing his journals, electronic communications and social media activity to better understand the planning, mental state and fixation on Bodick.
Authorities say the evidence indicates the attack was deliberate and carefully planned, not impulsive.
Bodick and her family have not commented on the events.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the timeline and circumstances leading to the shooting while also providing support for victims, families and the broader school community.
Local residents have held vigils and prayer services for the victims, while school officials pledged counseling and ongoing support for students and staff.
Community leaders emphasized unity and called for improved safety measures at religious schools to prevent future tragedies.
The massacre has reignited debate over warning signs, mental health intervention and school security measures in Minneapolis.
Experts say the case underscores the importance of early detection of warning behaviors, intervention strategies and the role of mental health resources in preventing violent acts.
Investigators caution that while the motives are still being explored, Westman’s personal relationships, social media activity and documented mental state will play a central role in understanding the factors behind the massacre.
Authorities continue to work with families, witnesses and experts to construct a complete picture of the events leading up to this tragedy.
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