A Minneapolis family has been torn apart by a devastating incident that has left a community searching for answers. Robyn Westman, a 44-year-old mother, now faces a charge of second-degree manslaughter after her 15-year-old daughter, Mary Grace, was fatally shot inside their family home.
The Minneapolis Police Department responded to a distress call at the residence on the 2000 block of Upton Avenue North shortly after 10:30 pm on a Tuesday evening. Officers discovered the teenager with a catastrophic gunshot wound. Despite the frantic efforts of first responders, who performed life-saving measures at the scene, the young victim was pronounced dead after being rushed to North Memorial Health Hospital.
A Mother's Account and a Grisly Discovery
According to the criminal complaint, the scene that greeted investigators was one of profound tragedy. Westman allegedly told police that she had been moving a handgun from one room to another when the weapon discharged. The bullet struck her daughter, who was sitting on a living room couch.
Law enforcement officials reported finding the teenager unresponsive on the floor, with a single gunshot wound to her head. A 9mm handgun was recovered from the kitchen counter, a silent and grim testament to the horrific accident described by the mother.
Questions of Responsibility and Unsecured Firearms
The complaint further details that Westman admitted to owning the firearm for approximately two months but confessed to not having any formal training in its handling or use. This admission raises critical questions about firearm safety and responsibility, particularly within a home where a child was present.
Authorities noted there was no indication of any argument or altercation preceding the shooting, painting a picture of a sudden and catastrophic lapse in safety that led to an irreversible outcome.
A Community Mourns a Young Life Lost
The death of Mary Grace has sent ripples of grief through her community and her school. The teenager was an eighth-grade student at Robbinsdale Middle School. In the wake of the tragedy, the school district mobilised its crisis counselling team to provide support for grieving students and staff, attempting to navigate the immense sorrow of losing a classmate in such sudden and violent circumstances.
As Robyn Westman was released from custody after posting a $100,000 bond, the legal process begins. This heartbreaking case serves as a stark and sombre reminder of the critical importance of proper firearm storage, handling, and education to prevent such needless tragedies from shattering more lives.
