CNN’s Dana Bash and Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar praised Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday for telling Christians that prayer is not enough in the wake of a mass shooting at a Catholic school.
The gunman, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, killed two children ages eight and ten and injured 17 others after firing bullets through the church’s windows.
During an “Inside Politics” segment with Klobuchar, Bash said that Frey’s statement to Christians that no one needs their prayers “sent chills up [her] spine.”
“When you think about, as the mayor said, thoughts and prayers just aren’t enough here right now, because these kids were actually praying,” Klobuchar said.
“I do want to listen to that because that sent chills up my spine, I’m sure everybody’s spine when they heard the mayor say that,” Bash added, before playing a clip of Frey’s remarks.
“He’s expressing something that I know you feel and most people feel which is a combination of sadness but wrong rage. Forget about thoughts and prayers, these kids were literally praying when they were murdered through a church window,” Bash continued.
Frey said during a press conference that the children were “literally praying” and did not need anyone’s “thoughts and prayers.”
“Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school, they were in a church,” Frey said.
“These are kids that should be learning with their friends, they should be playing on the playground, they should be able to go to school or church in peace without the fear or risk of violence and their parents should have the same kind of assurance,” he continued.
Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki also told Christians on X that she has had “enough” with their “prayers,” claiming they do nothing to stop mass shootings.
Westman, who also went by Robert, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the back of the church, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed.
O’Hara said Westman carried a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol and is believed to have used all three weapons.
He said Westman had no extensive criminal history and authorities have not identified any motive.
O’Hara added that 14 of the 17 injured victims are children, and seven of them arrived at the hospital in critical condition.
Klobuchar later said during the CNN segment that there are “too many guns” in the U.S. and called to pass new gun control laws.
Far-left Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar released a mum statement after a tragic shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis.
“I am beyond heartbroken over the tragic news of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. I am praying for all the families impacted by this horrific tragedy. I will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates,” Omar said.
Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has responded following a shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis.
“I’ve been briefed on a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and will continue to provide updates as we get more information. The BCA and State Patrol are on scene. I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence,” he wrote on the X platform.
In what the authorities have described as a “deliberate act of violence,” a shooting took place in Minneapolis during a Catholic school Mass to commemorate the beginning of the school year. The shooting resulted in the deaths of at least two youngsters.
According to officials from law enforcement, the shooter has been killed. At a health care facility in the Minneapolis area, children between the ages of 6 and 14 are receiving treatment for injuries, with some of them being in severe condition.