Minneapolis, Minnesota — In the wake of a tragic shooting that occurred at Annunciation Catholic Church, the mother of the suspected shooter, Robin Westman, has sought legal representation from Ryan Garry, a prominent criminal defense attorney known for advocating for George Floyd protesters. Garry confirmed that Mary Grace Westman hired him as she navigates the fallout of the violent incident, which resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to 18 others.
The 23-year-old shooter had previously attended the school where the attack took place. Garry noted that Mary Grace is devastated and feels no culpability, emphasizing that she is merely seeking to manage the intense media scrutiny surrounding the case.
Federal agents recently visited Mary Grace’s Florida condominium after she declined to cooperate with investigators. This move followed disturbing details that surfaced about past police visits to the family’s home in Minneapolis concerning mental health concerns.
Local authorities have indicated they are attempting to piece together Robin Westman’s background and motivations. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated that investigators have conducted numerous interviews with the shooter’s relatives and friends. However, they have yet to successfully communicate with the mother, raising questions about her reluctance to engage with law enforcement.
Further complicating the narrative is the revelation of a manifesto authored by Westman, which outlines an obsession with school shooters and detailed plans for the attack. In this document, Westman expressed no clear motive other than a desire to enact harm. Authorities are treating the incident as a hate crime and an act of domestic terrorism, with the FBI involved in the ongoing investigation.
Westman transitioned from Robert to Robin in 2019, a change supported by her mother, Mary Grace. However, according to a former coworker, Mary Grace may have grappled with feelings regarding her child’s transition, suggesting that her Catholic beliefs created an internal conflict.
Tragically, Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, were identified as the victims who lost their lives in the attack. Their families have publicly expressed their grief, calling for action on gun control and urging community leaders to address the broader issues of gun violence and mental health care.
As investigations continue, questions linger about the Westman family’s past and any potential warning signs leading up to the shooting. Police records reveal at least two prior incidents involving law enforcement at their home, but no specific red flags were noted concerning Robin’s mental health at the time of the incident.
The community remains in shock, struggling to reconcile the actions of a person once perceived as a good neighbor with the horrific violence that transpired. Grieving parents and authorities alike are left searching for both answers and solutions in the wake of an unspeakable tragedy.
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