US Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha visited Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis to meet with families impacted by a recent mass shooting. The incident, which occurred during the school’s first Mass of the year, resulted in the deaths of two children and left 21 others injured.
The gunman, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, fired 116 rounds through the church’s stained-glass windows before taking his own life. According to investigators, Westman left writings expressing hatred towards various groups.
During their visit, Vice President Vance and his wife laid flowers at a memorial outside the church and spent nearly two hours in private conversation with the affected families.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis welcomed the vice president’s presence, stating that it provided an opportunity for the families to put a face to the tragedy.
The families of the victims made two specific requests to Vice President Vance: to pray for Sophia, a child who is fighting for her life, and to focus attention on the victims rather than the shooter.
While the vice president met with the families, protesters gathered outside the church, waving rainbow flags and holding signs that read “protect kids, not guns.” The protesters chanted demands for stronger action on gun control.
One of the wounded children, 10-year-old Weston Halsne, underwent surgery to remove a bullet fragment from his neck and is expected to make a full recovery. His family expressed gratitude for the medical care he received.
The visit by Vice President Vance and his wife served as a gesture of support and solidarity with the affected families during a difficult time.