The horrific shooting at the Annunciation Church is still leaving a deep impression on local residents. While people are still reeling from the tragic loss, a remarkable detail has emerged: the mother of Robin Westman – the perpetrator of the tragedy – spoke out for the first time to the media. In a short interview, she could not hold back her tears as she said that she never thought her son could become the perpetrator of such a bloody crime.
According to her, Robin was a “good, quiet, and never caused any big trouble” son. In the eyes of his family, he was just a normal young man, living a secluded life and sometimes spending a lot of time alone in his room. Robin’s mother said: “He still greeted me every morning, still helped me carry heavy things, and never raised his voice and argued with his parents. Honestly, when I heard that he was the one who opened fire at the church, I felt like my world had collapsed.”
Police had previously identified Robin Westman as the sole perpetrator behind the shooting at the Annunciation Church, where dozens of parishioners were attending mass. The attack left at least three people dead and many others injured, some in critical condition. Robin was arrested shortly afterwards, still armed and not resisting.
What further angered the public was the fact that a multi-page “manifesto”, believed to have been written by Robin, was posted on YouTube just hours before the attack. In it, Robin expressed his anger at society, his feelings of isolation, and that “the only way to be heard is to create shock”. Although the video was quickly removed, its content went viral, causing fierce debate on social media.
While public opinion was focused on the perpetrator, Robin’s mother urged the community to understand that she was also a victim. “I lost the son I thought I knew. He not only killed others, he also killed my heart. I don’t know how to face the eyes of the neighbors, the people in this city,” she said, choking up.
Many psychologists say that Robin may have harbored obsessions, loneliness and anger for a long time without finding a way out. The lack of early detection of signs of instability is a major gap in the mental health support system for young people today. Some social activists say this incident has once again sounded the alarm about gun violence, which has become a “chronic disease” in the US.
The parishioners at Annunciation Church are holding prayers for the victims. Candles and flowers are placed in front of the church gate, and signs like “We will never forget” are everywhere. An atmosphere of mourning prevailed, and anger also rose as many people believed that gun control laws needed to be tightened.
On the other hand, many people expressed some sympathy for Robin’s family, especially the mother. Because facing the truth that her son was the perpetrator of a brutal crime, while also facing a wave of outrage from society, is perhaps one of the most terrible pains a mother can go through.
Currently, the police are still investigating the detailed motive and tracing back the unusual signs in Robin’s behavior before the incident. It is expected that he will face many serious charges and the highest possible sentence. Meanwhile, the victims’ families called for justice to be carried out quickly and strongly.
The incident not only exposed a darker side of modern society but also reminded people of the fragility between “a normal person” and “a murderer”. The big question remains: How to prevent similar tragedies from happening again, when even those closest to us fail to recognize the danger signs from our loved ones?
