The public is deeply heartbroken and outraged over the Minneapolis church shooting that resulted in the tragic death of two children. There is a strong emotional response characterized by grief, anger, and frustration at the ongoing issues of gun violence and mental health in society. Commenters express dismay at the inaction from political leaders, critique media coverage, and call for substantial change in gun control policies. The sentiment reflects a societal demand for accountability, greater empathy, and urgent reforms to prevent such tragedies from recurring.

Political leaders

Media outlets

Gun control advocates

I just hate all these cowardly gunmen who shoot easy defenseless targets and then avoid any consequence by shooting themselves. Why schools? wtf is wrong with people

CaptainFlabbergast

I don't advocate for suicide, but if you're gonna go kill kids and then yourself, just skip the kids and be done with it.

canadiuman

**Here's what we know:**

* Two children are dead, ages 8 and 10, after a gunman opened fire at the Annunciation Catholic School during a morning Mass on the south side of Minneapolis, authorities said. Seventeen others, including 14 children, were injured in the mass shooting, police said.
* The gunman, who was in his early 20s, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
* The city of Minneapolis said that there is no active threat at this time.
* Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives have at least one firearm in their possession from the shooter, and they are beginning the tracing protocol, according to an ATF source in Minneapolis.

**More of our coverage here:** [**https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/live-updates-active-shooter-situation-minneapolis-church-catholic-scho-rcna227498**](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/live-updates-active-shooter-situation-minneapolis-church-catholic-scho-rcna227498)

nbcnews

National Guard coming to the streets of Minneapolis

Blue13Coyote

Well let’s make sure not to do anything and then feign surprise when this happens again

Dustmopper

shockmamba

“its not the guns, it’s mental health”

while defunding mental health

Born-Cod4210

Like bro my little kid starts school soon. I don’t want to deal with this over-looming dread that he’s gonna be shot fucking dead at school. Makes me fucking physically ill. I would actually snap and off myself. That’s the cold fucking truth.

E: Too many to respond to but I hope all of us in this thread can find solace in the confines of our own homes because outside of them we ALL run the risk of dying in some tragic unforeseen way. That does not mean we must never leave the house but that also does not mean that our fears are any less justified because of what a few statistics say. I don’t know the answers to fix it but I do know that this country will never allow itself to be “fixed” and every issue we have beyond school shootings will persist until I’m feeding worms.

xXMr_PorkychopXx

Just so tired. As a father of children this age and who has experienced an active shooter scare, I can tell you it is something that will never leave you.

661714sunburn

The next executive order from the White House - NO MORE WINDOWS ON CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS!

myrmadon8

So shameful American lawmakers decided years ago that gun ownership was more important than the lives of innocent children. 

Pro life my ass.

YesHunty

"*Don't just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying."* Jacob Frey, Minnesota governor

picklerick8879

Again. How many times does this need to happen? Where’s the outrage? Why is there outrage over a shitty restaurant changing their logo, but THIS, children dying, nothing. Thoughts and prayers does nothing. Tell me again how pro life the law makers are, explain to me like I’m 5 why gun rights are more important than innocent lives. How many dead kids is enough for this country????

upnytonc

Republicans will blame Walz of course, and they will say the gunman was mentally ill while also taking away facilities aimed at helping mental illness. 

AgePractical6298

How many years has America done nothing and run out of ideas when it comes to this?

asl052

princeofpoland

[deleted]

As a parent with kids who have their back to school mass this week, fuck everyone’s thoughts and prayers. Be the answer to your prayers and do something about it.

NardoND

Today is my child's first day of kindergarten. I am a mess.

poorbanker

Guess we need armed guards in churches now? Metal detectors and fewer doors?

Far easier to gun proof every single aspect of our lives than to just do something about the guns.

Wazula23

But not a gun problem, got it. Wishes and Prayers :/

arongoss

These monsters always kill themselves to avoid consequences. Just do that and leave children out of it ffs

Apprehensive_Ad_7274

First comment on the conservative sub is complaining about anti Christian and anti conservative redditors. They care more about not being liked than not being shot.

Haunting_Jump_4416

At least this administration saved the Cracker Barrel logo. Someone please wake me.

coblass

This is the true face of America. Despair

Federal-Drawer3462

Somehow it’s always still unbelievable that it’s happened and again unbelievable that it’s still being allowed to continue to happen

Sufficient-Lunch3774

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I turned on AM radio. The first three words I heard were “nuns with guns” and I wish that was a joke. I turned it off. These people are so far gone. They are sick in the head.

dallasdude

&gt;Zach Parkinson, the communications director for the Republican National Committee, responded to Newsom's post, telling *Newsweek* in a statement: "Children are dead, and the only thing this psychopath can think about is how to politicize it to advance his career. Gavin Newsom isn't only a horrible governor, he's a vile human being."

lol

Nice try.

smersh101

U know what would be better than nothing? ANYTHING!

Update; when I posted this, I meant “anything in terms of gun control”, sometimes I think people make ridiculous comments just so they have something to say on the Internet

Impressive_Flan3935

Republicans not only have prevented any form of gun control but have [expanded access to guns.](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/29/us/nashville-gun-laws.html?unlocked_article_code=1.hU8.LjyT.Qq-HqHSJJBus&amp;smid=nytcore-ios-share&amp;referringSource=articleShare) They’re truly sick and depraved.

UltravioletAfterglow

Why did he "make" it political? BECAUSE IT FUCKING **IS** POLITICAL! One side wants gun control, the other side does not, and when some sicko can get their hands on an arsenal of guns so easily, then yeah, it's political.

jrstinkfish

american gun companies are getting special treatment and protection bc they give lots of money to republicans.

tensei-coffee

By Sonam Sheth — Evening Politics Editor |

California Governor Gavin Newsom tore into the Republican Party on Wednesday after a shooting that killed two children and injured 17 others, including 14 children, at a Minneapolis church.

Newsom called Republicans "sick" in a social media post and accused the party of doing "absolutely nothing" to curb gun violence across the country.

Wednesday's is the latest in a spate of mass shootings that have taken place across th country this year. A mass shooting is defined as an attack that kills four or more people, not including the shooter. There have been at least 286 mass shooting in the U.S. as of Wednesday, according to data compiled by CNN and the Gun Violence Archive.

Read more: [https://www.newsweek.com/gavin-newsom-reaction-republicans-minneapolis-church-shooting-2120386?utm\_source=reddit&amp;utm\_campaign=reddit\_main](https://www.newsweek.com/gavin-newsom-reaction-republicans-minneapolis-church-shooting-2120386?utm_source=reddit&amp;utm_campaign=reddit_main)

newsweek

"I'm sending thoughts and prayers," translates into English as "I'm glad those kids are dead."

Kid_Serious

The children and vulnerable people have always been the victims of  NRA and greedy MAGA politicians.

As long as MAGA and GOP are there, there is no end to this  gun epidemic !

reddittorbrigade

Newsom is correct the GOP own every single mass shooting with trump encouraging more violence. Are there people that should never own a firearm? YES ! Should people own assault weapons that can carry 100 rounds? Absolutely not there is no reason for it. Should hunting and target shooters be allowed to legally own firearms? Yes. There has to be change and severe consequences for committing crimes while in possession of a firearm, domestic violence should disqualify people from ever owning a firearm and any violent offense.

CAM6913

The guy wrote every political meme on his guns, and eveyone is taking their talking point to their little group... crazy.

default-anon

IMO Newsom needs to take his trolling to the next level and start wearing an uncomfortable amount of bronzer during his next public appearance

MarkZuckerbergsPerm

Everyone politicizes school shootings, as they *should* because this is a political issue.

The Republicans want to pretend that it isn't, because the political solution is one they don't like.

But I guarantee that if this were a public school, and not a religious school, they would be throwing out the canard about how if we had "prayer in schools" this wouldn't have happened.

Can't really make that argument here, though.

pconrad0

Just laying down the gun conversation for now-but the common trait in a majority of these shooters is severe mental illness. Unless we also accept that the mental health resources of this country are absolutely dismal we won’t get anywhere. These types of killers thrive on online forums that promote violence and are echo chambers. Very easy for a mentally unstable young person to get wrapped up in these sorts of forums. If they have no friends or family to support them then they will look elsewhere. Yes I agree the guns and access to them are a problem BUT the lack of mental health support and the way society shapes these types of people is very much a problem. I probably didn’t say that as eloquently as I’d like but not only is it a gun problem it’s a societal problem too.

jlovelysoul

What I find DISGUSTING is that kids are dead and their knee jerk reaction is ‘protect the trans community’

TheOceanOfNotions

I find it amusing that this is being considered “domestic terrorism on Catholics”…why not domestic terrorism on schools?  Kids?  Learning?  It’s not just Catholics getting shot and killed in these shootings!!!!!

GuppyGirl1234

I can’t imagine a place with more thoughts and prayers per capita being shot up. Maybe it’s not a legitimate strategy.

Adept-Sir-1704

"Westman was a former student of the school, and a Facebook post featuring what appears to be the gunman's mother says that she had retired from the Annunciation Church in 2021.

The shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the parking lot and had no extensive criminal history" police said.

What a monster!

revivictory

It is very funny that this is the only post currently up in this sub on the shooting

doc_octahedron

Looked at the conservative sub and one comment said that Reddit should be taken down because the dems are a bunch of terrorists.  These people are not normal.

Rayearl

There should be a state-level certification/licensing process with a waiting period in every state, used as a bare minimum requirement to own a gun. If you’re a law abiding citizen, you can afford the 6 hours of time to take a safety course and the few months it takes to get physical certification that’s valid for several years. Then, we should require background checks and documentation of private sales and introduce ERPO laws in every state. Not necessarily cut and dry, but consistent and sensible restrictions would be immensely beneficial to a uniquely American problem.

Ironic that the folks who’d consider any of that authoritarian are largely the ones who support Trump. Dangerously stupid that they can’t do two seconds of research to realize that those types of gun control are effective in nearly every state and country they’ve been implemented in. Plus, they’re minimally intrusive concepts that ensure responsible ownership. Shouldn’t we ensure owners of any kind of effective killing machine are competent, sound of mind, and traceable?

Ok_Character_5532

Way to politicize this even in your first response Mr. Patel (translation: this guy was transgender - told you they were all evil and bad) (hint - they’re not)

“FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X: "The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics. There were 2 fatalities, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old. In addition, 14 children and 3 adults were injured. The shooter has been identified as Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman.”

Austin_Peep_9396

This nation continues to prove that it is not responsible enough for unfettered gun access. The 2nd amendment is an amendment. Its very existence is proof that the constitution can be legally altered. 

We lack the collective political will to stop this American carnage.

E1M1_DOOM

If we got rid of bribery I mean lobbying we would get rid of the nra fighting for guns, big business undermining workers, and workers rights,A literal shit load of crap the average American has to deal with as far as money coming out of our pockets. To some it up if government wasn’t so corrupt things would be like night and day

nonubiz

The whole of the developed world has historically poverty-riddled communities, with all manner of seasonal weather conditions, impacted by climate change, where LGBTQ+ people also live and work, in substandard housing, with doors, and windows, where terminative reproductive health procedures are legal and performed, during and after divorce, while loud music is blasting, and vidya games are played, movies and TV watched, a 7/24/365 deluge of social media content consumed and created, political parties exist, political speech is divisive, and necessary medical, mental, dental, and/or vision health care is inconvenient, difficult, or nearly impossible to obtain.

What it doesn't have is utterly unfettered access to as many firearms and as much ammunition as its population's arms-bearing arms and wallets can bear.

Confounding, isn't it? Absolutely confounding. Anyway, here's [America's Mass Shooting Tracker.](https://massshootingtracker.site/)

AllTheyEatIsLettuce

I think the last 7 mass shootings were by trans people. His parents had to know his mental state and about the guns. Maybe it's time to focus on the role model and personal responsibility.

Kern2001Co

Democrats: we need to protect kids from school shootings

Republicans: stop politicizing tragedy

Also republicans: BTW the shooter was Trans

Conservatives are indeed fucking sick

buddascrayon

None of this is normal, and the fact that the governor of CA is the only one, front and center, talking about it is sickening. I'm tired of our kids suffering. I'm tired of no political will to stop it from happening again and again, and again....

pedisin

So here's the deal. It doesn't seem like "thoughts and prayers" are working when it comes to these mass shootings, especially school shootings. My thoughts are along the lines of "put all your collective thoughts and prayers in one hand, shit in the other, see which fills-up first."

If it is never the time to figure out how to stop these things from happening after an incident, and it's never the time to do so in the time between these incidents, then when will anyone discuss any measures to do anything?

Just saying. Something meaningful should probably be be done.

What does anyone want to bet the shooter is another Trump voter who decided he hates Trump now after the leopards ate his face? 

Oh, but I guess nobody should say that, either. 

"Let's not bring politics into this." 

Let's not talk about it at all, and find a way to make it about "the Dems."

I can't say I like Newsom's policies much from what I've heard, but he seems to be the only one willing to say what needs to be said lately on the national stage. The media is cowed. Most other governors and aspiring politicians are cowed. Newsom is the only one saying things that make these MAGA nutter snowflakes uncomfortable.

The only thing wrong with the way Newsom is playing politics now is that it's coming over a year too late.

kaloric

Guy was Trans, anti Trump, anti Israel and Jewish and anti Christian. 

Not exactly what I would call a Nazi or a "right winger"

And the back flips and hoops I'm seeing the hard left jump through is wild. The dude uploaded his manifesto online, it's all over the place. He was hard left borderline Marxist ideologiest, and the everyone online knows it

Grand_Ryoma

republicans are more upset about Bud Light and Cracker Barrel than they are about protecting our kids

davechri

As an outsider looking in, America’s obsession with guns is easily the most deranged cultural trait on the planet. It doesn’t make the country look strong, free, or prosperous — it makes it look broken. A nation that calls itself a beacon of hope but treats the right to stockpile weapons of war as sacred scripture is not enlightened, it’s stagnant. Guns aren’t freedom, they’re a gaping wound in the fabric of society — the missing piece that keeps America from being a safe, truly hospitable place to live. Fuck the 2A.

MorerOnions

We are not perfect and have our issues in Canada but good God we cannot understand the gun rationale in your country.  How many more kids is the magic number for this to end?

Wide-Yak7602

Wasn’t the shooter a brainwashed leftwing trans liberal and somehow it’s the republicans fault?

soundofreason

I’m all for taking guns. Let’s start with Memphis, St Louis, Baltimore, Detroit, Chicago..

N8ures1stGreen

Well it was a democrat doing the shooting.

TrunkMonkeyRacing

Does he not realize this was done in Minnesota? One of the most liberal states there is? So what do Republicans have to do with this? If he’s looking for a federal law, why doesn’t Minneapolis just enact stricter gun control? And also, why didn’t the Democrats in act on gin control control when they had full control of the government when Biden was in office?

iBUYbrokenSUBARUS

Good thing most of us know enough about the way the world actually works to know that Gavin is absolutely insane to think anyone would believe that.

AlhazTheRed

Politicize the fuck out of it. When they say it’s just to advance a career say “fuck yes it is. I want to advance my career so I can end these shootings once and for all and hold the responsible parties to account”!

Dems should make an ad with a montage of all the times gop says “thoughts and prayers” juxtaposed with the number of children being murdered

solstargazer

LegitimateSir3544

Sure, sure.  The vile person is the one who actually wants to save kids lives.  Ok, republicans.

Andovars_Ghost

The shooter was a far left Trump hating trans dude and it’s the republicans at fault lmao

TheFixerOfComments

I've seen people on the comments here enticing "trans" people to carry out terrorist attacks just so they can get their gun control passed. This is straight up terrorism. Everyone knows right and wrong. You can't lie your way out of it. You created these sick minds with your lies. In the end truth will prevail and there will be justice. Only one party is ok with murdering children.

Comfortable-Sail3345

I thought that the second amendment was to do with right to bear arms as a militia against a tyrannical government.  How did it evolve to become individual right?  Confused Canadian.

Republicans would rather the 2nd amendment help children get murdered in schools than fight a tyrannical government deploying the military in their communities

playdohplaydate

Your republican thoughts and prayers are total bull shit.

Glad-Attempt5138

It’s not the gun. 

It’s the person with the severe personality disorder pulling the trigger. 

A gun never killed anyone by itself; it’s a tool.

Necessary_Stock4648

this is the trans shooter today with the anti-trump messages on her guns right 

Any_Lion_8125

Flags at half mast will surely stop sickos shooting schools

TronCat1277

Hey, just wait a moment, and chill.

Hopes and prayers, boys and girls. It works every time. Top Republicans have said, God is supporting this “Hopes and Prayers” agenda.

God knows!

The-Sixth-Dimension

Think about it. This shooter was a disciple of your gun rights prophets. What will all the gun tote’n evangelicals do when their disturbed children start shooting them through the church windows? I’m thinking of them and their prayers. What were they praying for? Keeping their guns safe from those horrible nasty woke people? Thoughts and prayers won’t bring your babies back from your own home grown monsters. Reap what you have sown maga gun nuts. Real what you have sown

UnamedStreamNumber9

Violence is wrong but why is it that it’s rarely directed to a bad person. There’s a lot bad in this world but the choice is hurt someone defenseless. I don’t get it.

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this also happen yesterday in Minneapolis

[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/08/27/minneapolis-shooting-sidewalk/85845128007/](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/08/27/minneapolis-shooting-sidewalk/85845128007/)

One person was killed and six more were injured when a gunman sprayed dozens of rounds at a group standing on a sidewalk across from a high school in Minneapolis on Aug. 26, authorities said.

Officers responded to calls about shots fired just before 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 26 and found one man dead on the sidewalk, and five men and one woman who were injured. Investigators determined that a lone gunman stepped out of a vehicle near the intersection of Clinton Avenue and East 29th Street and fired about 30 rounds at people who were standing on a sidewalk before leaving in the vehicle.

  
The shooting happened directly across the street from Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, a Catholic school, and students were at the school at the time of the shooting, O'Hara said. The school's website shows the school year is already in session.

Pete-PDX

bigbadaboomx

"'No Way to Prevent This,' Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens"

PhilosophyNovel4087

Now remember, folks, this is an anything but gun control issue

SugarInvestigator

NOOOOOOOOO. Fuck. I'm so tired of this shit. Poor kids and families lives forever altered because we can't pass any common sense gun laws. God dammit.

Shot_Ad4562

I was told that the biggest threat to children was "the Woke".

Tremolat

What's it going to take, Republicans? This is the leading cause of death for our children. If your empathy doesn't kick in at some point, can your shame? This shit is embarrassing.

Bob_Sledding

Students were at a Catholic school, a place where you pray. They were shot at and gunned down.

Why are thoughts and prayers still the solution?

jediporcupine

They should post photos of the victims with their gunshot wounds so that the American gun cult can some facts about their ridiculous gun laws.

stratamaniac

Oh, well will you look at that. Get ready for the National Guard to head there straight away. Some more hired instigators? Bet they didn’t much convincing. Positively shameful. That we see an event as senseless as this and right away we’re all suspicious af of the motive. Not about the innocence lost, or the person killed. 

Shameful. Even worse though is our complete lack of shock anymore. We are all being lead into a war zone - in our own country - due to a political party.

outerworldLV

But, it’ll be “too soon” to talk about anything remotely related to what might ACTUALLY prevent this.

CDubGma2835

Mass murder is too easy in the US. The founders never imagined it would be so easy.

flexiblefine

Why don't killers who end it by turning the gun on themselves just start there first. Children are never responsible for whatever is going on in the world.

threehams87

GhostMause14

A tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis during a back-to-school Mass resulted in the deaths of two children and left 17 others injured. Investigations are ongoing regarding the suspect's motives and online activity.

Minneapolis Church Shooting

Why This Matters

Public Sentiment Summary

Highlighted Comments

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What the people want