Minneapolis, Minnesota — A chilling video has emerged showing Robin Westman, the gunman responsible for a tragic school shooting at a Catholic school, browsing through firearms at a local gun shop just days before the attack. Surveillance footage captures Westman interacting with store employees and examining various weapons, raising questions about how he was assessed prior to the deadly incident.
The footage was filmed around 12:30 PM on August 23, just four days before Westman arrived at Annunciation Catholic School. In the video, he is seen moving through the store, examining rifles and pistols. Despite the behavior that may have raised alarms, employees at the shop reportedly did not perceive him as a threat.
Kory Krause, the owner of the gun store, stated that several staff members, trained to recognize signs of potential mass violence, engaged with Westman during his visit. They described him as “friendly” and “jovial,” suggesting that he did not arouse suspicion during his interactions. Krause emphasized that the team plans to review the recorded footage in detail to assess their responses during Westman’s visit.
While Westman did purchase a .38 revolver, authorities indicated that this weapon was not used in the shooting. On August 27, he arrived at the school around 8:30 AM, where he opened fire during a schoolwide Mass, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuring several others before taking his own life in the parking lot.
Westman’s motives remain under investigation, and authorities are closely examining a manifesto he reportedly wrote. Friends and former coworkers are trying to piece together his state of mind leading up to the attack. One former colleague recounted that Westman had strange inquiries about firearms, but it was a fleeting concern that did not indicate serious implications at the time.
The shooting has sparked renewed discussions about gun control and the responsibility of retailers to monitor suspicious activity. The aftermath has deeply affected the Minneapolis community, igniting calls for increased safety measures in schools and public spaces. As investigations continue, the focus remains on understanding the factors that led to this heartbreaking event and preventing similar tragedies in the future.