Minneapolis, Minnesota, US: The mother of the Minneapolis church shooter who killed two children and wounded 18 others is refusing to cooperate with police and has retained a high-profile criminal defense attorney, investigators revealed Thursday, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation into the horrific attack.
Family Connection to Tragedy Site
Mary Grace Westman, 53, worked as a secretary at Annunciation Catholic School for five years before retiring in 2021 – the same school where her child, 23-year-old Robin Westman, unleashed deadly gunfire through stained-glass windows during a back-to-school Mass on Wednesday morning. The tragic irony has left investigators and the community grappling with questions about what may have driven the attack.
“We have not been successful in talking to the shooter’s mother,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated during a Thursday press conference. “But there continue to be efforts made to get that done.”
Legal Representation and Federal Investigation
Mary Grace Westman has hired criminal defense attorney Ryan Garry, known for his work representing George Floyd protesters and his association with NFL star Colin Kaepernick’s legal team. When questioned about why his client retained legal counsel, Garry told Fox News, “She is completely distraught about the situation and has no culpability but is seeking an attorney to deal with calls like this.”
Federal agents were captured on video Wednesday attempting to reach Westman at her East Naples, Florida apartment, just hours after the shooting. Footage shows casually dressed agents with sunglasses and binders approaching her residence, knocking on the door and calling out for “Miss Westman.” She did not respond, and the agents eventually left the scene.
The Shooter’s Background and Motive
Robin Westman, who legally changed her name from Robert to Robin in 2020 with her mother’s support, was a former student at Annunciation Catholic School. Court documents from the name change petition show Mary Grace Westman signed the legal paperwork, noting that her child “identifies as female and wants her name to reflect that identification.”
The 23-year-old shooter arrived at the church around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, firing 116 rounds through the church windows as children attended their first Mass of the school year. The attack killed 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, while leaving 15 children and three elderly parishioners wounded.
Disturbing Evidence Emerges
Investigators have uncovered a chilling manifesto and videos that reveal the shooter’s obsession with mass violence. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson described the writings as “horrific and vile,” stating that the shooter “wanted to watch children suffer.”
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the shooting is being investigated as domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics. Evidence found at the scene included weapons inscribed with anti-religious messages, threats against former President Trump, and references to previous mass shooters.
“The shooter appeared to hate all of us,” Police Chief O’Hara told reporters. “Above all, their intention was to kill children.”
Community in Mourning
The attack has devastated the tight-knit Minneapolis Catholic community. Fletcher Merkel’s father, Jesse, fought back tears while describing his son’s love for family, fishing, and sports. Harper Moyski’s parents called their daughter “bright, joyful, and deeply loved,” while urging leaders to take meaningful action against gun violence.
Principal Matt DeBoer praised the heroic response of teachers and students during the attack. “Children were ducked down. Adults were protecting children. Older children were protecting younger children,” he said.
Ongoing Investigation Challenges
Police have executed search warrants at three residences connected to the shooter and recovered additional firearms. However, Mary Grace Westman’s refusal to cooperate represents a significant obstacle in understanding the full scope of what led to the tragedy.
Investigators found evidence suggesting the attack was meticulously planned. The shooter left behind journals written in both English and Cyrillic script, expressing hatred toward multiple groups and admiration for past mass killers. Videos posted to YouTube hours before the attack showed weapons, ammunition, and disturbing messages.
No Red Flags Missed
Despite the devastating outcome, officials maintain that no warning signs were overlooked. Chief O’Hara emphasized that Westman had no criminal history beyond a traffic citation and legally purchased all weapons used in the attack. A heavily redacted police report from 2018 shows officers responded to the Westman residence for a mental health call involving a juvenile, but no specific details were released.
“There is nothing in our investigation so far that would lead us to believe that anything was missed,” O’Hara stated, noting that the shooter was able to lawfully acquire the firearms.
Federal Response
The shooting has prompted a swift federal response, with President Trump ordering flags to fly at half-staff through August 31. The FBI has taken the lead in the investigation, treating the incident as both domestic terrorism and a hate crime.
As the investigation continues, the community faces a long road to healing while seeking answers about what drove such senseless violence against innocent children. With the shooter’s mother remaining silent and protected by legal counsel, investigators must piece together the tragic puzzle through other evidence and witness accounts.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about preventing mass violence while raising questions about early intervention and the complex factors that can lead to such devastating attacks on communities of faith.
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