Minneapolis church shooter's mother refuses to talk to police after deadly attack on children
Share and Follow

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The mother of the shooter who opened fire at a Minneapolis Catholic school during Mass on Wednesday is not cooperating with investigators as they try to determine what led to the tragic events that left two children dead and 18 others injured, including 15 children.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said dozens of interviews have been conducted with the shooter’s relatives, friends and associates, as well as those who witnessed the carnage unfold at Annunciation Catholic Church.

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

Court documents show the shooter’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, applied for her son to legally change his name, writing in 2019, “minor identifies as female and wants her name to reflect the identification.”

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara speaks to reporters

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara stands outside the Annunciation Catholic School following a mass shooting, Wednesday, in Minneapolis.  (Bruce Kluckhohn/AP)

At around 8:30 a.m., the suspect fired dozens of rounds into the church, shattering stained-glass and pew-side windows as terrified students and parishioners ducked for cover.

Authorities have not yet released a motive, though they have uncovered a manifesto the shooter had timed to be released on YouTube. The video has since been taken down and is under investigation.

The manifesto, police added, appeared to show Westman at the scene and included disturbing writings.

FBI Director Kash Patel said Thursday the agency’s investigation into the “barbaric” attack suggests the attack was an act of domestic terrorism “motivated by a hate-filled ideology.”

He noted that the manifesto and writings on firearms displayed anti-Catholic and anti-religious references. 

Specifically, the shooter expressed hatred and violence toward Jewish people and wrote things like “Israel must fall,” “Free Palestine” and used explicit language related to the Holocaust, Patel said.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Islanders' sloppy play costs them winnable road game to Flames

Islanders’ Costly Mistakes Lead to Defeat Against Flames in Crucial Road Matchup

CALGARY, Alberta — In a twist of fate, the Islanders emerged victorious…
FBI captures Top Ten Most Wanted fugitive in Mexico sought over 2016 murder of NC co-worker

FBI Nabs Elusive Fugitive in Mexico: Breakthrough in 2016 NC Murder Case

The FBI revealed on Saturday that Alejandro Rosales Castillo, who had been…
Toyota's EV that runs on hydrogen FLOPS as lawsuit alleges defects

Toyota’s Hydrogen-Powered EV Faces Major Setback Amidst Defect Allegations

Sales of Toyota’s hydrogen-powered electric vehicle are experiencing a sharp decline as…
A view of the 24 Somali Mall in Minneapolis, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minneapolis ICE Crackdown Poses Challenges for Somali Businesses Amidst Rising Tensions

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — On a recent afternoon, the typically bustling Karmel Mall…
How Mike Sullivan reacted to Letter 2.0 as Rangers struggle in first season

Mike Sullivan’s Bold Response to Letter 2.0 Amidst Rangers’ Challenging Debut Season

PHILADELPHIA – Upon stepping into his new role as head coach of…
Will There Be A Season 3 of ‘Landman’ on Paramount+?

Landman Season 3: What Fans Can Expect and Latest Updates on Its Paramount+ Future

The curtain has officially fallen on the second season of Paramount+’s runaway…
Skokie fire: Family with newborn baby displaced after house fire on North Kostner Avenue in Skokie, Mohammed Fayyaz says

Skokie House Fire Displaces Family with Newborn on North Kostner Avenue, Reports Mohammed Fayyaz

A family with a newborn has been left without a home following…
Inside the chilling disappearance of skier Liam Toman one year later

Mystery Deepens: One Year Since Skier Liam Toman Vanished Without a Trace

In the early hours of the morning, precisely at 3:19 AM nearly…