The Wayzata (Minnesota) Police Department is reporting a theft and vandalism at the city's 9/11 memorial on the eve of the tragic 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attack. The artifact was stolen on or around Thursday, August 29th.
The granite memorial located in the Panoway Plaza Park in Wayzata, was dedicated on September 11, 2021, “In remembrance" of Gordon (Gordy) McCannel Aamoth Jr., a beloved member of the Wayzata community who perished on September 11, 2001, during the attack on the World Trade Center.
Several artifacts were inlayed on the top of the granite memorial including a glass artifact, recovered from the site of Ground Zero at the rubble of the World Trade Center towers. This piece of glass was found near the remains of Gordy Aamoth Jr., by a New York City police officer and brought to Minnesota to be given to Steve Nilson, one of Gordy’s classmates who eulogized Gordy at this memorial dedication service.
The Wayzata Police Department nots that this "simple glass artifact holds immeasurable value to many, including Gordy Aamoth’s family."
Police were notified that the glass artifact was smashed. Left behind was only a small glass fragment from the artifact. Police say evidence recovered at the scene points to the artifact not being smashed, but forcefully removed and stolen.
The department is asking for the public’s help. The community driven, non profit Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition is offering a reward of $1,000 for the safe return of the glass artifact from the Wayzata 9/11 memorial with no questions asked.
If you know something about its whereabouts, please contact the Wayzata Police Department.