Twin Cities 9/11 Memorial Vandalized, Artifact Stolen

MINNETONKA — Wayzata Police are investigating after the city's 9/11 memorial was vandalized and an artifact from it was stolen. A reward of $1,000 is being offered for its return, "no questions asked."

On Sept. 11, 2021, a granite memorial was dedicated to Gordon (Gordy) McCannel Aamoth Jr., a Wayzata native who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center.

Several artifacts were inlaid on the top of the granite memorial, including a glass piece recovered from "ground zero" near Gordy's remains by a New York City police officer.

The glass was brought to Minnesota to be given to Steve Nilson, one of Aamoth's classmates who eulogized Gordy at the memorial dedication service.

"The artifact is a broken piece of glass with historic and sentimental value but no notable tangible value," Wayzata police wrote on social media. "The WPD and the broader Wayzata community wants the artifact back and we are asking for the public’s help."

Police are asking that if anyone who knows something about its whereabouts to contact them "and help us return this historical artifact to the memorial so everyone can reflect on its significance."

Aamoth, 32, was a 1988 graduate of The Blake School and a 1992 graduate of Babson College. He had been employed in New York by Sandler O'Neil since 1993.

A memorial service was held for him on Sept. 20, 2001, at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.