FBI searching for Minneapolis shooting suspect's mom after 'refusal' to co-operate with investigation
The FBI are said to be looking for Robin Westman's mother.
A shooter opened fire with a rifle on Wednesday (August 27) through the windows of a Catholic church in Minneapolis and struck some of the nearly 200 children celebrating Mass during the first week of school, killing two and wounding 17 people in an act of violence the police chief called 'absolutely incomprehensible'.
The two victims have been identified as eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, 10.
Armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol, 23-year-old Robin Westman approached the side of the church and shot dozens of rounds through the windows towards the children sitting in the pews during Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School just before 8.30am local time, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said at a news conference. He said the gunman then died by suicide.
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Police have been investigating the matter ever since and believe that Westman, who once attended the same school the shooting took place at, was 'obsessed' with the idea of killing children.
O'Hara shared in an update: "It is very clear that this shooter had the intention to terrorise those innocent children."
While Westman was a former student at the school, it has also been revealed that their mother, Mary Grace Westman, once worked there.
She retired in 2021 and her role was described as a 'parish secretary'. Elsewhere a 2016 church bulletin announced Mary had been hired as an administrative assistant within the business office.
Reportedly Mary hasn't been very cooperative in terms of helping the police with its investigation into Wednesday's fatal shooting.
According to The Telegraph, Mary has 'refused to cooperate' and FBI agents visited an apartment in Florida that belongs to her on Wednesday.
Mary also has a property in Minneapolis that she appears to have fled following the school shooting.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Police Chief O'Hara said that they had 'not been successful in talking to the shooter’s mother'.
"There continue to be efforts made to get that done," he added.
While Mary is yet to be located, she has reportedly hired criminal defense attorney Ryan Garry.
Garry spoke to Fox News on Thursday, where he was asked why Westman's mom had acquired his services.
"She is completely distraught about the situation and has no culpability but is seeking an attorney to deal with calls like this," he replied, as per The Independent.
UNILAD have approached Garry for comment.
Niamh Shackleton