Vice President’s Tribute to Tragic Shooting Victims
Vice President JD Vance took a moment during his speech on Thursday to honor two children who were tragically killed by a transgender shooter in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Robin Westman, who identifies as transgender, was responsible for the deaths of the two children, aged 8 and 10, after firing through a stained glass window at Announcement Catholic Church on Wednesday. Speaking in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, Vance paused to offer Catholic prayers for the victims, especially after comments from many Democrats regarding “thoughts and prayers.”
“If you believe in the power of prayer, I encourage you to join me,” Vance stated. “This is for the two little children who lost their lives yesterday. It’s a prayer we say often in my church: ‘Lord, grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.’ Amen.”
Democratic leaders criticized the notion of offering prayers for the children and other victims. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey reminded the faithful that mere “thoughts and prayers” were insufficient, suggesting those affected by the tragedy were already praying at the time of the shooting.
Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki expressed on social media that thoughts and prayers do not seem adequate to address the issue of mass shootings. She stated, “Prayers don’t change the situation. They don’t prevent school shootings, nor do they reassure parents about their children’s safety. They definitely can’t bring these children back.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar and CNN’s Dana Bash praised Frey’s remarks regarding prayer in a segment on “Inside Politics.” Additionally, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that Westman had made “multiple anti-Catholic” statements in his manifesto, which also included disturbing references to violence, including a call for the death of former President Donald Trump. Notably, he referenced the Holocaust in relation to his views.
In his manifesto, Westman expressed regret over his identity and lamented what he called “self-brainwashing.” He harbored violent fantasies, even praising the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting. Following the tragedy, Westman took his own life with a firearm behind the church.
