Minneapolis School Shooting: Mother of Gunman Hires Attorney, Declines Police Interviews

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Thursday that the shooter’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, who worked at the school for five years until retiring in 2021, has not been interviewed despite ongoing efforts by investigators.

“We have not been successful in talking to the shooter’s mother at this time,” O’Hara said at a news conference. “But there continue to be efforts made to get that done.”

The 23-year-old gunman, who died at the scene, was connected to the school through his mother, O’Hara confirmed. In 2019, Westman signed court documents allowing her then-17-year-old son to legally change his name from Robert to Robin, stating he identified as female. However, in a manifesto released before the attack, the shooter expressed regret over his transgender identity, writing he was “tired of being trans” and felt “brain-washed.” He also planned to cut his hair, which he described as his “last shred of being trans,” on the day of the attack.

Investigators have yet to confirm the shooter’s living arrangements, noting three addresses associated with him. “I can’t verify right now which residence he was staying at immediately prior to the shooting, but that’s obviously something that will come with the investigation as it continues,” O’Hara said.

FBI agents were seen approaching a residence linked to the Westman family in East Naples, Florida, calling for “Ms. Westman,” according to WINK News footage showing three casually dressed officers at the home.

Mary Westman has hired defense attorney Ryan Garry, known for representing NFL star Colin Kaepernick and George Floyd protesters. Garry told reporters his client is “completely distraught about the situation and has no culpability” but sought legal counsel to handle inquiries.

The shooter left behind an 11-minute video manifesto and a 20-minute video flipping through notebooks filled with a non-English script he had translated. The videos, briefly removed by the FBI for review, were widely shared on social media.

FBI Director Kash Patel provided updates on the investigation via social media Thursday, describing the incident as a “barbaric attack.” Patel said the shooter expressed anti-Catholic and anti-religious sentiments, including taping an image of Jesus to a shooting target and stabbing a drawing of the school’s chapel while filming himself. One of the shooter’s firearms bore the phrase “Where is your God now?”

Patel also noted the shooter’s writings expressed hatred toward Jewish people, including phrases like “Israel must fall,” “Free Palestine,” and explicit Holocaust-related language. Additionally, the shooter called for violence against former President Donald Trump, inscribing “Kill Donald Trump” on a firearm magazine and “Kill Trump now!” on a firearm sight.

The attack occurred during an 8:15 a.m. Mass on Wednesday, killing two children, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, and injuring 19 others.

The investigation remains ongoing.