VP Vance Honors Victims of Tragic Shooting
Vice President JD Vance took a moment during his speech on Thursday to honor two children who were tragically killed by a shooter in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The shooter, Robin Westman, a man who identifies as transgender, opened fire through a stained glass window at Announcement Catholic Church on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old. While speaking in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, Vance paused to offer prayers for the children, after several Democrats criticized the idea of praying for victims.
“If you believe in prayer, I invite you to join me,” Vance said. “This is a prayer for the two little children who lost their lives yesterday. It’s one we often say in my church. ‘Lord, grant them eternal rest and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.’ Amen.”
In response to Vance’s remarks, many Democrats dismissed the notion of offering prayers for the victims. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey implored those of faith to refrain from offering “thoughts and prayers,” noting that the children affected during the shooting were, in fact, praying at the time.
Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki reacted by saying that prayer alone does not address the issue of mass shootings. She commented on X, stating, “Prayers aren’t enough. They don’t stop school shootings or make parents feel safe sending their kids to school. They don’t bring these children back.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar and CNN’s Dana Bash also commended Frey’s take on the matter during a Wednesday segment of “Inside Politics.”
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed on Thursday that Westman had included anti-Catholic sentiments in his manifesto, along with comments urging violence against public figures, including a reference to the Holocaust. Westman expressed regret about his gender identity and had troubling thoughts about harming children, even glorifying past tragedies like the Sandy Hook shooting before taking his own life behind the church.
