Minneapolis, Minnesota — An art teacher who once had a troubled student now connected to a tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church reflected on the signs of distress she observed years earlier. Sarah Reely taught Robin Westman for a year at a private all-boys prep school in 2017, during which she noticed evidence of self-harm on the student’s arms and reported her concerns.

In a recent Facebook post, Reely described Westman as a young person in need of help but expressed her regret that more wasn’t done at the time. “Self-harm is a cry for help or a sign of self-hate, but it’s always an indication that something is wrong,” she wrote, highlighting the complexities of mental health issues.

On Wednesday morning, Westman opened fire during a Mass service at Annunciation Catholic Church, killing two children and injuring at least 18 others. This devastating incident unfolded shortly before 8:30 a.m., when Westman, 23, unleashed gunfire from a rifle, targeting parishioners seated in the pews.

Reely, upon seeing a photo of Westman in connection with the incident, recognized her former student and reflected on her time in the classroom. She described Westman as “odd,” noting an affinity for quirky interests like furries and unusual artwork but asserted that she had never demonstrated any violence towards others.

Reely emphasized that Westman struggled to fit into the school environment, particularly given her identity as a queer individual in a conservative setting. She made a deliberate effort to build a relationship with her, hoping to provide support.

Westman later transferred to another school, and while Reely had ongoing hopes for her well-being, the recent events forced her to confront a grim reality. In her post, she clarified that her intentions were not to elicit sympathy for Westman but to advocate for a broader understanding of the systemic failures that can lead to such tragedies. “Every murderer was once a child in someone’s classroom who needed help,” she noted, calling attention to deeper societal issues at play.

Authorities reported that Westman was found dead in the church with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. She was discovered wearing dark tactical clothing, with multiple firearms nearby. Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated that at least 120 shell casings were recovered from the scene, and Westman appeared to have been preoccupied with mass shootings prior to the attack.

Investigators indicated that Westman did not have a mental health diagnosis on record, though a police report from 2018 indicated that officers were called to her residence due to mental health concerns. Despite Minnesota’s new red flag law, which allows for the temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed a threat, it appears that there were no interventions prior to the incident.

The investigation remains active as authorities continue to examine Westman’s background and the path that led to her tragic actions. Advocates for mental health and gun control are emphasizing the need for a deeper exploration of how communities can better support vulnerable individuals before they endanger themselves or others.