Minneapolis Shooting Update

The mother of the gunman who fatally shot two children at Annunciation Catholic School has hired a defense attorney and is currently not cooperating with the police.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported that the shooter had ties to the school through his mother, Mary Grace Westman, who worked there for five years before retiring in 2021.

Mary had previously signed documents in 2019 permitting her son to change his name from “Robert” to “Robin” at the age of 17, stating he “identifies as a female.” However, he expressed in a manifesto before the tragic incident that he felt “tired of being trans” and described himself as “brain-washed.” Remarkably, he intended to cut his long hair—the “last shred of being trans”—on the day of the shooting.

During a news conference, O’Hara noted that the police conducted many interviews with those close to the deceased shooter, but they had not yet spoken with his mother.

“I know we have not been successful in talking to the shooter’s mother, yet, at this time,” O’Hara said. “But there continue to be efforts made to get that done.”

It’s unclear if the shooter lived with either parent, as there are three addresses linked to him. O’Hara mentioned that they would confirm this as the investigation proceeds.

“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 stated.

The FBI approached one of the residences associated with the Westman family, specifically calling for “Ms. Westman.” Officers were seen outside her home in East Naples, Florida.

Reports indicate Mary has retained attorney Ryan Garry, known for representing high-profile cases, including those involving NFL star Colin Kaepernick.

Garry expressed that she is “completely distraught” over the events and is seeking legal counsel to manage the situation.

The shooter recorded an 11-minute manifesto video along with a 20-minute video where he flipped through notebooks filled with a non-English script he had translated. While the FBI took the videos down for review, updates were posted about the investigation into this “barbaric attack.”

“Subject left multiple anti-Catholic, anti-religious references both in his manifesto and written on his firearms,” mentioned FBI Director Kash Patel.

The shooter had a picture of Jesus taped to a target and filmed himself stabbing a drawing of the chapel where children were praying, writing “Where is your God now?” on one of his firearms. Additionally, he expressed hatred towards Jewish people, stating “Israel must fall” and making violent remarks regarding President Trump, even inscribing “Kill Trump now!” on the sight of a firearm.

During the shooting, two children, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, lost their lives, and 19 others were injured.

The investigation is still ongoing, with further developments expected.