In Minneapolis, Robin Westman lived in a charming Tudor-style house nestled among the city’s serene, tree-lined streets. This home, located less than a mile from the Catholic Church where a tragic shooting took place, took the lives of two young children and injured 17 others.
Pictures of the home show a well-kept yard, with vibrant green grass providing a stark contrast to the horror associated with its address.
Neighbor Stephen Zegrosky expressed disbelief when he heard about the incident on Wednesday, recalling how it felt surreal. He remembered watching the Westman children playing freely on their property.
The backyard had a lovely brick patio adorned with colorful outdoor furniture and surrounded by blooming flowers, plus an ivy-covered shed, a Japanese fountain, a vegetable garden, and a cozy fireplace.
Inside, the living room seemed a bit cluttered, with boxes of winter coats scattered on the floor next to a coffee table piled high with books. The kitchen appeared to have a half-empty load of dishes on the counter.
Zegrosky recalled being shocked to learn that a transgender shooter had opened fire, tragically taking the lives of children aged 8 and 10, while wounding 14 more kids along with three church members.
At 35, he reminisced about meeting Westman at a celebration two years prior, recalling how they had asked him to take group photos.
“They seemed like a wonderful family,” Zegrosky mentioned. “Their kids were bustling around, their parents enjoying drinks, and their little Chihuahuas nipping at their feet.”
He added, “They offered me a beer and I just went with it. It’s hard to know what someone really is like.”
Westman, who was 23, sadly took his own life following the shootings at the church and school. He had a brief school history there as a child, and his mother worked as a secretary for five years until she retired in 2021.
Minneapolis police confirmed that Westman had no prior criminal record and all three firearms involved in the incident were legally obtained.
