Crime
Authorities Seek to Question Mary Grace Westman, Mother of Minneapolis Church School Mass Shooter Robin Westman
MINNEAPOLIS — Investigators are seeking to question the mother of the Annunciation Catholic School mass shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, following Wednesday’s devastating attack inside the Minneapolis church school.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, is wanted for questioning in connection with the case.
Law enforcement officials believe she may be staying at her condominium in Naples, Florida.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said that investigators have so far “not been successful in speaking with the shooter’s mother.”
According to police, surveillance footage from the school captured portions of the shooting.
Chief O’Hara revealed that Westman fired 116 rounds from a rifle during the attack, which unfolded during a back-to-school Mass inside the church.
Law enforcement sources told investigators that Westman is a former student of the school, and his mother previously worked there in a staff role before retiring.
Court records show that in 2019, when Westman was still a minor, Mary Grace Westman filed a petition in Dakota County to change her child’s name from Robert Paul Westman to Robin M. Westman.
The petition stated that Robin “identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.”
The shooting left two children, ages 8 and 10, dead and 17 others injured, including 14 children between the ages of 6 and 15 and three elderly parishioners in their 80s. Police said all surviving victims are expected to recover.
One of the first identified survivors is 13-year-old Endre Gunter, who was struck in the stomach during the barrage of gunfire.
His mother, Danielle, confirmed that he underwent emergency surgery and is now recovering.
“Our son was shot at school today, inside a church praying with his classmates,” Danielle said in a statement. She also thanked a Minneapolis police officer who rendered aid, hugged and reassured her son, and prayed with him before he was rushed into an ambulance.
The Gunter family said they are now focused on helping Endre “rebuild his life, his trust, and his confidence” in the aftermath of the attack.
The suspected gunman, Robin Westman, was later found dead inside the church from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, bringing the violent rampage to an end.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities reviewing surveillance footage, gathering witness statements, and continuing their efforts to speak with the suspect’s mother.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.