The investigation into Wednesday’s mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis has taken a complicated turn, as authorities confirm that the shooter’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, has hired a criminal defense attorney and is refusing to speak with investigators.
Police said multiple search warrants have already been executed and significant evidence has been collected, but Westman’s silence has raised concerns given her close connection to the tragedy. She previously worked at the same school where her 23-year-old child opened fire during morning Mass, killing two children and injuring 18 others before dying by suicide.
At a Friday press briefing, Minneapolis Police Assistant Chief Christopher Gaiters confirmed that “there has been conversation” with Westman through her attorney but declined to elaborate. On Thursday, Police Chief Brian O’Hara had told reporters that attempts to reach her directly had been unsuccessful.
Westman’s attorney, Ryan Garry, told NBC News that he had no comment at this time. Authorities have not said whether she, or any other family members, may face charges.
Investigators Seeking Motive
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, continue to investigate a possible motive. The shooter, identified as a former student at Annunciation, used three firearms in the attack. Police recovered 116 rifle casings, three shotgun shell casings, and one live pistol round from the scene.
Video surveillance confirmed the shooter never entered the church but instead fired through windows, striking parishioners inside. Police noted that locked church doors likely prevented an even greater loss of life. The shooter attempted to barricade an exit from the outside, trapping parishioners during the rampage.
Families in Mourning
The two children killed have been identified as 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. Fifteen other children, ages 6 to 15, were injured, along with three adult parishioners in their 80s. Hospital officials said two victims remained in critical condition as of Thursday morning.
The tragedy has reopened painful comparisons to other high-profile school shootings, including the 2021 Oxford High School case in Michigan, where the shooter’s parents were convicted of involuntary manslaughter for failing to act on warning signs. Legal experts say investigators may scrutinize whether Westman had knowledge of her child’s intentions or access to weapons.
A Community Demanding Answers
For grieving families, the lack of cooperation from someone so close to the shooter has struck a deep nerve.
At a time when parents are burying children instead of preparing for back-to-school nights, many are left feeling that silence from the shooter’s mother only deepens their anguish.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and they remain committed to uncovering what led to the attack.
