Today, another mass shooting occurred in America’s heartland. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, this morning, K-8th-grade children were seated in pews celebrating a back-to-school mass at Annunciation Catholic School. Around 8:30 am CT, Robin Westman, 23, who is believed to have been a former student at the school, mercilessly shot through the windows of the church, killing two children aged 8 and 10. and wounding 17 others, 14 of whom are children.

The police have described this as a senseless act of violence perpetrated on these children as they gathered in prayer. The shooter, Westman, was found in the rear of the church, dead, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Information on the Shooting

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara made this statement at a press conference about the shooting.

“This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping. The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible. This is an unspeakable tragedy.”

Westman was armed with a rifle, shotgun, and a pistol. At least two of the church’s doors had been barricaded from the outside. The suspect’s social media accounts show videos of written entries that describe killing children and also contain a drawing of Annunciation Church’s sanctuary. Additionally, they show weapons, bullets, and explosive devices scrawled with violent language.

Many of the shooting victims were rushed to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment. Their conditions have not yet been made public. The shooter’s car has been found, and police are conducting a thorough search of the vehicle.

Another Senseless Shooting

There was swift reaction from political leaders regarding the horrible shooting. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said this on social media. “I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey deemed it an “act of evil” that should never be repeated.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar said this on X, “I am heartbroken by the horrific violence” at the school. My prayers are with the students, teachers, and families, and I am grateful for the first responders who are on the scene.”

And President Trump has said this about the situation. “I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI quickly responded, and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!” And the usual calls for stricter gun laws will echo throughout this country until they are once again snuffed out.

Nation Impotent to Change

For this nation and its elected officials have feet of clay when it comes to instituting intelligent, reasonable, and humane federal gun laws. Sensible legislation to expand background checks, ban assault weapons, eliminate bump stock and ghost guns are met with a chorus of “we shouldn’t be talking about this when we are mourning the loss of lives.” Or the refrain made famous by the NRA that “guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” Quickly followed by the ominous message that they are coming to take all of your firearms away.

I am not going to bore you with the facts of how gun sales in the U.S. are significantly higher than in other countries or how our rates of gun violence surpass most developed countries. Or that the Second Amendment is a two-paragraph law that only pertains to the right to form a militia to defend the country. These facts do not move the needle on the obvious need for stricter gun laws.

You can bear witness to this by the reactions to the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Parkland High School, Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and now Annunciation Catholic School. The neutered responses that followed these shootings demonstrate that we are a nation that is unable to bring forward legislation that would save thousands of lives.

Final Sad Note

And with our current administration, which not only ignores requests for tougher gun laws but promotes the need for stricter ones, this pattern of violence will continue unabated.