MINNEAPOLIS, MN – New details have emerged regarding the deceased transgender gunman reportedly responsible for the mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school earlier in August, with the gunman’s mother retaining a defense attorney among other developments.
On August 27th, tragedy befell the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis after officials say a gunman, later identified as 23-year-old Robert Westman, opened fire upon students at the school, killing two and leaving 17 others injured. Westman was reportedly a self-identified transgender who went by the pseudonym Robin and had allegedly posted a series of videos on YouTube as well as publishing a manifesto mere hours before the school shooting.
Evidence obtained in the wake of the tragic shooting revealed Westman had apparently idolized other mass shooters of past, with magazines from the suspect’s weapon having the names of various mass shooters scribbled about.
Newer details regarding the suspect revealed he’d recently went through a breakup prior to the mass shooting, as well as authorities having recovered a tactical vest during a search of Westman’s father’s residence. Additionally, the deceased suspect’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, is not cooperating with the investigation, according to reports, instead opting to retain a criminal defense attorney.
Former congressman Trey Gowdy joined Fox News to discuss the latest revelations in the investigation, pointing out that the deceased suspect’s behavior leading up to the tragedy should’ve been noticed by his parents.
“It kind of screamed ‘notice’ to me, either actual or constructive notice,” Gowdy stated, adding, “I mean, I don't know how you go through life glamorizing serial killers and expressing your disdain for the most innocent among us children, and nobody takes notice.”
Regarding the matter of Westman’s mother hiring a criminal defense attorney, Gowdy suspects the move is in response to the precedent set forth back in April of 2024 when the parents of school shooter Ethan Crumbley were sentenced to ten years in prison over their failure to accordingly react to all the warning signs revolving around their son.
“So, the reason the mother hired a criminal defense attorney is because of the Crumbley parents. I mean, the Crumbley parents knew or should have known that their child was going to go kill classmates,” the former congressman emphasized, further adding, “I don't know the facts in this case, but when you start holding parents responsible - not generically, not strict liability - but if you have actual or constructive notice that your child is troubled and you still allow firearms around them or you don't notify the police, there need to be consequences for that.”
Gowdy acknowledged that while parenting in the general sense is a singular obligation in part with respect to the parent-child dynamic, therein lies also an obligation to be diligent regarding the imminent externalities of a child’s potential or impending behaviors.
“I mean, we’re all parents. We have a mutual obligation to one another to protect our children, raise good citizens,” Gowdy stated, following with, “But also protect the most fundamental right of every other parent, which is to watch their child have their 11th birthday. So, if we can go back in time, I wonder if these parents would do anything different. I mean, you've got two dead kids. You've got other kids in critical condition. What would you do differently? And if morality doesn't motivate you to do it…then sometimes the law has to step in and say, there's going to be a consequence if you have actual or constructive notice and you don't let someone know.”
On August 27th, tragedy befell the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis after officials say a gunman, later identified as 23-year-old Robert Westman, opened fire upon students at the school, killing two and leaving 17 others injured. Westman was reportedly a self-identified transgender who went by the pseudonym Robin and had allegedly posted a series of videos on YouTube as well as publishing a manifesto mere hours before the school shooting.
Evidence obtained in the wake of the tragic shooting revealed Westman had apparently idolized other mass shooters of past, with magazines from the suspect’s weapon having the names of various mass shooters scribbled about.
Newer details regarding the suspect revealed he’d recently went through a breakup prior to the mass shooting, as well as authorities having recovered a tactical vest during a search of Westman’s father’s residence. Additionally, the deceased suspect’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, is not cooperating with the investigation, according to reports, instead opting to retain a criminal defense attorney.
Former congressman Trey Gowdy joined Fox News to discuss the latest revelations in the investigation, pointing out that the deceased suspect’s behavior leading up to the tragedy should’ve been noticed by his parents.
“It kind of screamed ‘notice’ to me, either actual or constructive notice,” Gowdy stated, adding, “I mean, I don't know how you go through life glamorizing serial killers and expressing your disdain for the most innocent among us children, and nobody takes notice.”
Regarding the matter of Westman’s mother hiring a criminal defense attorney, Gowdy suspects the move is in response to the precedent set forth back in April of 2024 when the parents of school shooter Ethan Crumbley were sentenced to ten years in prison over their failure to accordingly react to all the warning signs revolving around their son.
“So, the reason the mother hired a criminal defense attorney is because of the Crumbley parents. I mean, the Crumbley parents knew or should have known that their child was going to go kill classmates,” the former congressman emphasized, further adding, “I don't know the facts in this case, but when you start holding parents responsible - not generically, not strict liability - but if you have actual or constructive notice that your child is troubled and you still allow firearms around them or you don't notify the police, there need to be consequences for that.”
Gowdy acknowledged that while parenting in the general sense is a singular obligation in part with respect to the parent-child dynamic, therein lies also an obligation to be diligent regarding the imminent externalities of a child’s potential or impending behaviors.
“I mean, we’re all parents. We have a mutual obligation to one another to protect our children, raise good citizens,” Gowdy stated, following with, “But also protect the most fundamental right of every other parent, which is to watch their child have their 11th birthday. So, if we can go back in time, I wonder if these parents would do anything different. I mean, you've got two dead kids. You've got other kids in critical condition. What would you do differently? And if morality doesn't motivate you to do it…then sometimes the law has to step in and say, there's going to be a consequence if you have actual or constructive notice and you don't let someone know.”
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Comments
2025-09-01T17:49-0400 | Comment by: Raymond
Were I a parent and my son decided he was a female, all guns would be locked up or removed from the house, and he would be going to a head Dr. to find out what was wrong with him.
2025-09-01T20:04-0400 | Comment by: Lumpy
Have to wonder if mom didn't purchase one of Robert's firearms for him...
2025-09-02T21:27-0400 | Comment by: James
Yes! These parents need to surfer the consequences of their actions or the lack there of! This mother knows this that is why the attorney!
2025-09-06T02:24-0400 | Comment by: donna
I saw the woman who I believe was the mother walking with a policeman; she was very upset, crying and he was taking her someplace, no doubt to interview her. They were joined by another woman who the 1st one signaled to join them! She has the right & no doubt a great reason to hire an attorney; She is going to need one. I think it is a great idea to interview the parents with the view of what did they notice & when did they notice it? You have to pay attention to your kids and not just let them lock themselves in their room in front of their machines! This is another horrible tale of children being the target of some cretin who is sick in the head and looking for a victim. Why don't they just get help or kill themselves and leave other people alone?