Minneapolis Church Shooter's Mother Hires Criminal Defense Attorney

The mother of nan shooter who opened occurrence Wednesday connected a Minneapolis Catholic schoolhouse during greeting Mass has hired a criminal defense attorney, arsenic constabulary opportunity they've been incapable to scope her.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said that Robin Westman's family has been cooperating pinch investigators, but they person not yet located Mary Grace Westman. Records show that her residence is successful Florida.

He said investigators person done dozens of interviews pinch nan shooter’s family, friends, and associates, and person talked to nan shooter's father.

"I cognize we person not been successful successful talking to nan shooter’s mother yet astatine this time," O’Hara said astatine a news convention Thursday.

Mary Grace Westman's attorney, Ryan Garry, told NBC News connected Thursday that he had nary remark astatine this time. The FBI and constabulary section did not instantly respond to a petition for remark connected Friday.

Authorities activity to speak pinch nan families of wide shooters arsenic they analyse a motive. In 1 of nan astir high-profile cases pursuing nan 2021 shooting astatine Oxford High School, nan parents of shooter Ethan Crumbley were charged and convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

James and Jennifer Crumbley were sentenced successful April 2024 to 10 to 15 years successful prison. Their boy pleaded blameworthy and was sentenced to life successful prison.

Police person not said that Mary Grace Westman aliases immoderate family members look criminal charges. O'Hara told reporters connected Thursday that nan section will proceed to effort to speak pinch nan shooter's mother.

Wednesday's rampage unfolded conscionable earlier 8:30 a.m. section clip astatine Annunciation Catholic School after authorities say nan 23-year-old fired done nan windows of nan church. A motive remains unclear.

Two children, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, were killed successful nan shooting. Fifteen different children, ages 6 to 15, were injured successful nan shooting, arsenic good arsenic 3 big parishioners successful their 80s.

As of Thursday morning, 2 of nan victims remained successful captious condition, a infirmary charismatic said.

The shooter utilized 3 different firearms to transportation retired nan attack, according to a news merchandise connected Thursday. Police said that 116 firearm casings, 3 shotgun ammunition casings, and 1 unrecorded pistol information were recovered astatine nan scene.

Video surveillance appears to corroborate that nan shooter did not participate nan church.

"The believe of locking nan doors erstwhile Mass began apt prevented a worse incident," a constabulary news merchandise said. "At nan aforesaid time, nan fishy attempted to barricade a doorway from nan outside, preventing exit from nan church."

The shooter, who was a trans woman, died by termination aft nan shooting. Authorities said nan shooter had been a student astatine Annunciation Catholic School, and her mother had erstwhile worked there.

Four hunt warrants person been executed astatine nan religion arsenic good arsenic locations successful South Minneapolis, Richfield, and St. Louis Park, constabulary said. Investigators person gathered hundreds of pieces of evidence, including electronics and writings, constabulary said.