Robin Westman's mom refuses police questioning, retains criminal lawyer after Minnesota shooting

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: The mother of Minneapolis school shooter Robin Westman, who opened fire at a Minnesota Catholic school on Wednesday, August 27, killing two children and wounding 18 others, has retained a criminal defense attorney while refusing to cooperate with police.

The shooter’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, has not been cooperating with investigators as they work to determine what led to the tragic events in Minneapolis. She has retained criminal defense attorney Ryan Garry. 

Ryan Garry says Robin Westman's mother is 'completely distraught' about the situation

Criminal defense attorney Ryan Garry told Fox News, “She is completely distraught about the situation and has no culpability but is seeking an attorney to deal with calls like this,” when asked why Mary Westman had obtained a criminal attorney. 

Meanwhile, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said several interviews had been conducted with the shooter’s relatives, friends, associates, and witnesses to the tragedy at Annunciation Catholic Church.

During a news conference on Thursday, August 28, O’Hara said, “I know we have not been successful in talking to the shooter’s mother yet, at this time. But there continue to be efforts made to get that done.”

Court documents also revealed that in 2019, Mary Westman applied for Robin to legally change their name, writing, “Minor identifies as female and wants her name to reflect the identification.” However, it remains unclear why Robin’s mother has not cooperated with investigators.

When asked whether investigators had contacted the shooter’s father, O’Hara initially said he could not confirm. Later, after speaking with Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans, O’Hara confirmed that investigators had been in touch with the father.

Speaking further about the family, O’Hara added, “The shooter’s mother was an employee of the parish previously for some time. So, obviously there is a connection between the shooter and this particular parish."

Manifesto reveals Robin Westman was ‘'tired of being trans'

Robin Westman shared a handwritten journal on YouTube before the attack. The writings were partially encrypted using a mix of Russian Cyrillic script and English.

In the journal, Westman expressed dissatisfaction with personal appearance and identity, particularly regarding long hair and past decisions about transitioning. “I only keep [the long hair] because it is pretty much my last shred of being trans. I am tired of being trans, I wish I never brain-washed myself,” Westman wrote.

The shooter continued, “I can’t cut my hair now as it would be an embarrassing defeat, and it might be a concerning change of character that could get me reported. It just always gets in my way. I will probably chop it on the day of the attack.”

Westman also reflected on deeper feelings of regret and frustration, writing, “I regret being trans... I wish I was a girl. I just know I cannot achieve that body with the technology we have today. I also can’t afford that.”

The journal further revealed strong feelings of self-doubt and dissatisfaction with appearance. “I like feeling sexy and cute but my face never matches how I feel. I hate my face… maybe that’s why I like furries so much. You can give yourself a new body and face. I want to be that black face mask on Beyonce’s body lmao!”