A mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic church has resulted in two children’s deaths and 17 others being injured, prompting widespread outrage and calls for action to prevent similar tragedies.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the incident was a new form of violence in human history, as no prior era had seen attacks on churches or classrooms. He called for an investigation into all contributing factors. The FBI, led by Director Kash Patel, described the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics, while the Trump administration expressed concern about the nation’s mental health crisis.
John Lott, founder of the Crime Prevention Research Center, argued that mass shooters often seek media attention by targeting unarmed victims, such as those in gun-free zones. Lott advocated for hardening schools by removing gun-free zone signs and allowing armed staff to protect students. The Minneapolis shooter, Robin Westman, used legally purchased firearms, including a rifle, pistol, and shotgun. His manifesto, which has been removed, may provide further insight into his motivations.
The tragedy occurred during a morning Mass at the Annunciation Catholic Church, which is also home to a parochial school. The incident left two children, aged 8 and 10, dead and 17 others injured. The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, had previously changed his legal name, as reported in court records. Police were aware of the shooter’s manifesto, though it is now under investigation. The White House addressed the incident, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt noting the possibility of links between prescription drugs and increased violence, emphasizing the administration’s focus on mental health issues.
Conservative groups, such as America First Legal, criticized the U.S. government for promoting drugs like puberty blockers and SSRIs, which they argue lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. The Trump administration’s approach to gun control, according to Heritage Foundation legal fellow Amy Swearer, has become an outdated focus. She argued that the solution lies in addressing the mental instability of shooters rather than focusing solely on firearm laws. Democratic lawmakers have called for stricter gun control measures, denouncing ‘weapons of war’ in schools. Experts like Lott and Swearer agree that soft targets such as gun-free schools are vulnerable, and that measures to protect such spaces are essential to preventing future attacks.