Investigators Hit a Wall with Shooter’s Mother After Tragic Church Mass Murder

A wave of grief and confusion washed over Minneapolis after a horrifying shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church during Wednesday morning Mass. Two young children were killed, and 18 people—most of them children—were wounded. As authorities scramble to understand the motive, they have encountered a significant roadblock: the shooter’s mother is not cooperating.

Mother Remains Silent as Investigation Unfolds

Mary Grace Westman, the mother of the shooter, has not responded to outreach from law enforcement. Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that, despite numerous attempts, investigators have “not been successful” in interviewing her. Instead, she has hired criminal defense attorney Ryan Garry. Garry explained that Westman is “completely distraught,” claiming she has “no culpability” in the tragedy and is seeking legal guidance to manage the intense scrutiny surrounding her.

Meanwhile, authorities have conducted dozens of interviews with family members, friends, school colleagues, and other witnesses who experienced the chaos firsthand. But the absence of her perspective leaves a critical gap with many unanswered questions.

An Intricate Personal Connection to the Parish

The bond between the Westman family and the church is deeply woven. The shooter, Robin Westman—23 years old—killed two children and wounded others as Mass had just begun. Robin, previously known as Robert, attended the same school associated with the church and lived in the parish community. Mary Grace herself had worked at the school until her retirement in 2021.

Court documents indicate that in 2019, Mary Grace filed legal paperwork to change Robin’s name, explaining that the “minor identifies as female” and sought a name reflecting that identity. The exact dynamics within the family remain unclear, but that legal move now adds complexity to investigators’ understanding of the shooter’s history.

Evidence Mountains Rising, yet Motive Remains Obscure

Search warrants executed across multiple locations tied to Westman have yielded overwhelming evidence: electronic devices, firearms, written notes, and surveillance footage, among other materials. Investigators are combing through digital footprints and physical evidence as they work to piece together what led Robin Westman to this betrayal of sanctuary.

Authorities are treating the attack as a possible act of domestic terrorism and hate crime, given deeply disturbing language found in the shooter’s online postings—including extremist, antisemitic, and anti-Catholic messaging—alongside names of well-known mass killers scrawled on magazines.

A Community’s Fear Echoes in Open Letters

Two years before tragedy struck, leaders from Minnesota’s Catholic and private school communities had sent a stark warning to the governor. Their open letter pleaded for stronger safety protocols at religious and nonpublic schools following other near-similar tragedies. “Our schools are under attack,” they cautioned, referencing a recent shooting in Nashville. Tragically, their warning went unheeded, and now the darkest fears from that letter have come to life.

Why This Case Feels Different

The refusal of the mother to speak to investigators—despite her unique insight into her child’s mindset—adds a chilling layer to an already heart-wrenching case. Her presence around the school and church, combined with the legal name change, make her perspective especially relevant to understanding Robin Westman’s radicalization and planning.

Moreover, the confirmation that scores of shots were fired into a sanctuary filled with children highlights the cold, methodical nature of the act. Parents and community members scramble to reconcile the gentle, familiar face of Annunciation School with the violent betrayal it suffered.

What Lies Ahead

By withholding cooperation, Westman shuts off a potentially vital narrative explaining motives, warning signs, or the psychological underpinnings of the shooter’s life. Without her input, the investigation must rely solely on external testimony, digital footprints, and forensic analysis.

At the same time, the release of the April 2023 letter imploring state leaders to shore up school security now feels prophetic. In the blurred aftermath of grief, it underscores how preventable tragedies are sometimes overshadowed by political inertia.

Minnesota waits—grieving, searching, and hoping the truth will surface despite the walls of silence. Until then, the sanctuary that inspired terror stands battered but now symbolizes a deeper demand: vigilance, not only in securing buildings, but in safeguarding the hearts that dwell within them.