Minneapolis Catholic school shooting disrupts first week back
A gunman is dead after a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. Numerous law enforcement agencies are responding.
- The shooter used multiple firearms and allegedly scheduled online messages to be posted during the attack.
- Local authorities and the FBI are investigating the shooting.
The mother of a man suspected in the Aug. 27 Minneapolis church mass shooting may have a Naples connection
Collier County Property Records show Mary Grace Westman bought an East Naples condo, west of Santa Barbara Boulevard and south of Interstate 75, in 2022.
What happened at Minneapolis church
The gunman, Robin Westman, opened fire outside of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, killing two children and injuring 17 other people, authorities said at a news conference.
The shooter died at the scene by a self-inflicted wound, authorities said.
Mary Grace Westman was a former parish secretary at the church Robin Westman attacked, according to a June 2021 resignation notice by a former priest posted on the church website.
She could not be reached by phone, email or in person.
Outside the East Naples condo in the New Castle neighborhood the afternoon of Aug. 27, some media were gathered.
Neighbors exited their homes to find out what was happening. None said they knew Mary Grace Westman.
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune and other media outlets have reported that Mary Grace Westman is the mother of Robin Westman.
Mom shared photos of family on social
Mary Grace Westman has shared family photos on Instagram, including a picture from more than six years ago showing Robin Westman in a red T-shirt, along with others. The caption she wrote was: “Love my kids.”
Another photo showed Robin Westman and others in Lake Orion, Michigan, with her wording: “Cousin fun !!”
What to know about shooter
Robin Westman is believed to have used three firearms: a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol. He fired “dozens” of rounds through the windows of the church, Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara said.
The shooting happened when students were worshipping at Mass to celebrate the first week of school, O’Hara said.
The shooter scheduled online messages to be uploaded to YouTube during the shooting, which the FBI ordered to be taken down for review of possible motives.
“Children are dead,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said. “Those families are suffering immense pain right now. Think of this as if it were your own. Every one of us needs to be wrapping our arms around these families, giving them every ounce that we can muster.”
The Diocese of Venice made a statement in reference to the shooting, stating that it will remain steadfast in prioritizing the safety of its Catholic schools.
“Security at Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Venice has always been a priority and continues to be a critical component of the planning process for each academic year.,” said the statement from the Southwest Florida-based diocese.
“Although it is believed that the Catholic Schools are secure, the Diocese is in ongoing communication with existing security teams as well as local law enforcement.”
USA Today contributed to this story.
