Media Coverage of Recent Church Shootings Compared
The way corporate media in the U.S. reported on two church shootings, a decade apart, shows a stark contrast. The first incident happened in 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina, while the second took place recently in Minneapolis.
On June 18, 2015, CBS News detailed:
On the night of June 17, 2015, nine individuals, including the pastor, were murdered during a prayer meeting at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina. The suspect, Dylan Roof, was apprehended in North Carolina and extradited to South Carolina on June 18, 2015, with officials labeling the act a hate crime.
Fast forward to June 28, 2025, and CBS News reported:
During a Catholic mass filled with young children from South Minneapolis, two kids lost their lives, and 18 others suffered injuries due to gunfire on Wednesday morning. The shooter is dead as well.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara mentioned that law enforcement’s response at the Announcement Catholic Church on West 54th Avenue was extensive, starting around 8:30 a.m. The shooter opened fire from outside the building, targeting children and worshippers inside. It was noted that the firearms—including rifles and pistols—had been purchased legally “recently,” according to O’Hara.
Both accounts emerged a day after the incidents occurred, and both alleged shooters were identified at the time. However, the second article lacked several critical details about the shooter.
Founding media should investigate the facts and report them. They should examine themselves while doing so.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed shock during a press conference, pivoting from discussions of the slain children to topics like trans rights and gun regulations on the very day of the church shooting.
Frey stated, “I’ve heard a lot of hatred directed at the trans community,” during an afternoon briefing.
He added:
Those using this moment have lost their sense of humanity if they turn it into an opportunity to further push narratives against the trans community or any other group. We ought not to exploit hatred against anyone.
It’s perhaps not surprising that Frey would repurpose the narrative. This is the same mayor who faced backlash in 2020 for his handling of protests, including the burning of a police station. His vulnerabilities are already apparent.
This year, Frey is in a tough re-election fight against democratic socialist Omar Fateh. In an apparent bid to secure his position, he appears to be shifting further left.
The key takeaway from his comments, though, seems to be less about accountability and more about the media’s hesitance to spotlight the shooter’s identification as transgender.
The shooter, Robert Westman, had changed his name to Robin Westman in January 2020 at age 17. In a petition, he expressed a desire to be identified as a woman, stating that his name should reflect that.
This kind of information wasn’t difficult to uncover. Mere hours before the tragedy, Westman posted a video outlining his intentions and displaying his contempt.
In one segment, Westman shared details from a handwritten manifesto, providing context for his attack. He had graduated from the Catholic Church and school in 2017.
I feel good about this announcement. It seems like a solid mix of simple attack styles and devastating outcomes. I want to conduct further research. My main concern is finding a sufficiently large group. I’d like to avoid my parents, but I can meet them after school.
In another video, Westman showcased his weapons, asserting, “Where is your God?” on the magazine of his gun.
Basic Facts and Reporting Discrepancies
When the Charleston shooting occurred, coverage emphasized terms like “white” and “white supremacist.” Right from the beginning, reporters spotlighted Dylan Roof’s motivations, framing his racism as a key part of the story. That focus was warranted—understanding his ideology helps explain his choice of target, a Black church.
But why don’t similar standards apply now?
Westman was transgender. Court documents acknowledged “Robin” as his name, and the reasons behind the legal name change were clear. His own recordings revealed a troubled mind with concrete plans for attack. These are the types of facts essential for thorough reporting. Highlighting them doesn’t equate transgender individuals with violence, just as being “white” doesn’t equivalently tie to being a white supremacist.
Nonetheless, the differences in media coverage are unmistakable. In Charleston, identity was at the forefront. In contrast, the narrative surrounding Westman has been largely minimized. The media seems to sidestep this story entirely.
Mainstream Media’s Calculated Approach
Once, journalism took pride in covering unexpected stories—like “dogs biting men.” Those days appear over. Today’s reporting often opts for narratives that bolster certain viewpoints rather than straightforward fact-sharing.
People are noticing. They recognize trust in the media is at an all-time low. They witness newspapers losing readership, networks losing viewers, and sources struggling to make an impact. The bias is evident, the omissions glaring, and the audience is understandably skeptical.
Individuals are aware they’re not being told the full story. They understand half-truths can lead to bigger lies. The media has facilitated narratives like the Russian collusion hoax, downplayed scrutiny around Hunter Biden, and shielded the public from concerns related to Joe Biden’s cognitive health.
This selective coverage creates a buffer for the left, allowing them to evade the clash between their distorted beliefs and reality. Meanwhile, mainstream media—while grappling with its declining credibility—complicitly provides this insulation.
The horror of the Catholic school shooting should be a major story. Instead, the media seems to treat it as a mere inconvenience, flitting from it without ever delving deeper.
If they truly prioritized integrity, they would confront the hard facts and, ultimately, themselves. Because the real scandal lies not only in what gets covered but also in what remains shrouded in silence.
