Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance will travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday to meet with families and pay their respects following last week’s deadly shooting[1] at Annunciation Catholic School, as reported[2] by The New York Post.
According to a statement from the vice president’s office released Tuesday, the couple will “hold a series of private meetings to convey condolences to the families of those affected by the tragedy.”
Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance take the stage with their children during the inauguration parade for President Donald Trump at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
The attack left two young children dead and more than a dozen others injured while attending Mass.
Ten-year-old Harper Moyski and eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel were killed when the gunman, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, barricaded a door to the church and opened fire through a window before taking his own life.
Authorities said the shooting injured several students and adults in attendance. Westman left behind a manifesto containing antisemitic and anti-Israel statements. Investigators also revealed that one of his gun magazines was marked with the phrase “kill Donald Trump.”
⛔️YOUTUBE HAS ALREADY CENSORED THIS⛔️
*Warning: disturbing content*
YouTube took down this video of the alleged manifesto that was posted just before a gunman opened fire at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, MN. The channel belonged to Robin Westman, whose mother used… pic.twitter.com/anQaoqVmK2[4]
Law enforcement officials noted that Westman, who identified as transgender, appeared to be struggling with gender identity issues. In online writings and videos posted before the shooting, he expressed that he was “tired[6] of being trans.”
In the days following the tragedy, Vice President Vance addressed both the violence and the public response. He criticized political figures who, he said, dismiss the role of faith when communities mourn.
“It is shocking to me that so many left-wing politicians attack the idea of prayer in response to a tragedy,” Vance wrote on X. “Literally no one thinks prayer is a substitute for action. We pray because our hearts are broken and we believe that God is listening.”
It is shocking to me that so many left wing politicians attack the idea of prayer in response to a tragedy.
Literally no one thinks prayer is a substitute for action.
We pray because our hearts are broken and we believe that God is listening.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also addressed the role of prayer in the aftermath. “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying,” Frey said.
The Vances’ visit is expected to focus on private discussions with grieving families and members of the community. No public remarks have been announced at this time.
The attack is the latest in a series of mass shootings to draw national attention, renewing calls for answers and accountability as communities attempt to recover.
