The two children shot and killed in yesterday’s school shooting in Minnesota have been named by their families.
The first was identified as 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel, whose father gave an emotional statement to reporters on Thursday afternoon.
Shortly after, Harper Moyski was named in a statement shared on her parents’ behalf, which described the 10-year-old as “bright, joyful, and deeply loved.”
Robin Westman, 23, was identified as the shooter who fired through the stained-glass windows at the church next to Annunciation Catholic School around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, as students were celebrating Mass at the start of the academic year.
In addition to Fletcher and Harper, 18 others, including 15 children and three parishioners in their 80s, were injured.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Thursday afternoon that 116 rifle rounds were recovered at the site but that a specific motive has not yet been identified.
However, on a video posted to YouTube, the shooter flips through the pages of a journal referred to by authorities as a “manifesto”, and expresses a desire to attack “a large group of kids,” according to an analysis by BBC Verify.
The suspect also expressed a desire to “catch a big assembly on the first day of school.”
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Key points
- 10-year-old girl killed in shooting identified in statement from family
- Eight-year-old victim identified by father in emotional statement to press
- Shooter wanted to kill 'defenseless children' and was familiar with layout of church
- Uvalde families sent wreath in memory of victims
- What did the shooter allegedly say in their video 'manifesto'?
- Minneapolis mayor warns against ‘villainizing our trans community’
Today's latest developments
Thursday 28 August 2025 22:41
,
Oliver O'Connell
- Authorities say Robin Westman, 23, carried out a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning, killing two children and injuring 18 others, including 15 children.
- The shooter fired indiscriminately through the church's stained-glass windows, with police recovering 116 rifle rounds, though a specific motive for the attack remains under investigation.
- A "manifesto" and videos posted by the shooter revealed plans to attack a large group of children on the first day of school, expressing hatred towards various groups and admiration for other mass shooters.
- Both children have been identified as eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, with their families, as well as community and lawmakers calling for gun control measures.
- The shooter's videos also contained racist and antisemitic messages, including a death threat against Donald Trump, and police confirmed the firearms used were recently purchased.
Watch: Father of 8-year-old victim in Minneapolis shooting makes emotional statement
04:40
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Mike Bedigan
Nurse sat with distressed girl while she had CT scan, despite dangers
04:20
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Mike Bedigan
After seeing a visibly distressed child about to undergo a CT scan following Wednesday’s shooting, a nurse at Hennepin County Medical Center sat with her throughout the procedure despite the danger of radiation exposure.
Safety protocols stipulate that medical staff should clear the room to prevent radiation exposure.
The nurse “put a little lead on, stayed there and held her hand and held her hair while she went through scanners so she didn’t have to go through alone,” Dr. Jon Gayken, one of the head trauma surgeons at Hennepin County Medical Center, said.
Several medical first responders — many of whom were stationed just blocks away from the church — have children enrolled at the Catholic school, officials announced on Thursday.
“Those are the types of things we witnessed yesterday,” Gayken added.
Recap: Who are the deceased victims of Wednesday's shooting?
04:00
,
Mike Bedigan
The two children who were killed in Wednesday’s attack have now been named by their families.
Eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel was described by his father in an emotional statement on Thursday as a kid who “loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking, and any sports he was allowed to play.”
“Because of [the shooter’s] actions, we will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him, and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming,” Jesse Merkel said.
Shortly after, 10-year-old Harper Moyski was named in a statement shared on her parents’ behalf.
“Harper was a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her,” the statement from Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin read, per CNN.
“Our hearts are broken not only as parents, but also for Harper’s sister, who adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss. As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain.”
Shooter's journal 'had no message'
03:40
,
Mike Bedigan
While police previously described the writings of shooter Robin Westman as a “manifesto,” a close review by CNN found that the hand-written entries appeared to be more of a jumbled, stream-of-consciousness than any coherent plan or declaration of purpose.
“This is not a church or religion attack, that is not the message,” Westman wrote. “The message is there is no message.”
The shooter added: “I really just want a place to put my thoughts... I can’t talk to a therapist or family cause I will immediately be reported and put on a watchlist!”Westman had suffered from depression, as well as suicidal and homicidal thoughts for years, per CNN.
In pictures: Mourners gather to remember victims of the Minneapolis shooting
03:30
,
Mike Bedigan
Full story: Second victim of Minnesota church shooting identified as ‘bright, joyful and deeply loved’ 10-year-old
03:20
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Mike Bedigan
The second victim of the deadly mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school on Wednesday has been identified as Harper Moyski, age 10.
"We are devastated to share that our beloved daughter, Harper Moyski, was tragically killed in the recent school shooting,” parents Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin said in a statement to media outlets.
Josh Marcus has the full story:
Watch: Minneapolis killer had deranged fascination with mass shooters, police say
03:00
,
Oliver O'Connell
How can parents cope with the anxiety of sending kids back to school in shooting aftermath?
02:40
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Mike Bedigan
Sarah Jerstad, psychologist and medical director of outpatient mental health services at Children’s Minnesota, says it is understandable for parents to feel “very scared” in the aftermath of horrific events such as school shootings.
“This is a time when parents feel out of control. They recognize in these situations that they cannot always be there to protect their child, which underscores their feelings of being out of control,” she told MPR News.
“Parents need support too. That support may come from their community, friends, mental health professionals or other parents who have children in the same school.”
Jerstad adds: “Sometimes a parent thinks that keeping their child at home is the best way to ensure their safety. While this might feel comforting initially, it is not a long-term solution.
“It’s important to gradually ease back into normal activities and support each other through the process.”
In pictures: Tributes to victims of Minneapolis shooting laid at site
02:20
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Mike Bedigan
How should parents talk to their children about tragedies such as Wednesday's shooting?
02:00
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Mike Bedigan
Sarah Jerstad, psychologist and medical director of outpatient mental health services at Children’s Minnesota, gives advice to parents on how to broach sensitive topics such as Wednesday’s shooting in Minnesota, with their children.
“First of all, hear their story and understand what they have been through. Many kids observe situations like this on TV or hear about them through the news,” Jerstad told MPR.
“They often feel significant fear because most kids go to school and think, ‘This could happen to me.’ Even if a kid has not experienced it directly, many will struggle with going to school and feeling safe.
She continued: Give children the space and permission to express their feelings. Parents should share their own feelings too. If parents are feeling sad, scared or upset, it’s important for kids to see that it’s OK to feel this way. Everyone is feeling this way, and that’s normal.
Secondly, parents and adults are a source of comfort and safety for kids. Parents need to remind themselves that they are that source of safety and comfort. They should reassure their children that there are measures in place at their school, that people are there to help, and that they are looking out for them. I think providing comfort about returning to school is important right now.
Injured student Victor described as 'selfless' by family
01:40
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Mike Bedigan
Another GoFundMe, named another injured student as Victor, known by his family as “Vic.” Victor was described as “one of the brave victims who survived the tragedy that unfolded” on Wednesday.
“His selfless acts help to save many, but he and his sister were injured in the process. Vic, along with his family, have started the long journey of recovery,” the fundraiser, set up by his uncle stated.
One child still hospitalized at Children’s Minnesota
01:20
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Mike Bedigan
Children’s Minnesota hospital in Minneapolis, has said that only one child remains in its care.
Officials did not offer any further details on the child’s condition, but said six other patients had been treated and discharged.
Earlier today, Hennepin Healthcare Clinic and Specialty Center said it is treating nine patients, including one child in critical condition.
Injured 13-year-old showed 'strength and faith beyond his years,' says family
01:00
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Mike Bedigan
13-year-old Endre Gunter “showed strength and faith beyond his years,” after being shot twice during the Minneapolis attack, his family has said.
The eighth grader is recovering from surgery at the hospital, surrounded by loved ones and has the best medical team possible, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his auntie.
“While the road ahead is long, we are beyond grateful he is still with us. The emotional and physical healing ahead will take time and resources,” the family said, adding: “It's impossible to make sense of this act of violence against children, in a place that should have been a sanctuary of peace and safety.
“In the face of unimaginable fear and pain, Endre showed strength and faith beyond his years.”
Eighth-grader recovering after surgery asked surgeon to pray with him
Friday 29 August 2025 00:40
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Mike Bedigan
Eighth-grader Endre Gunter, is now recovering from surgery after being shot twice in the stomach, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his auntie.
According to his family, before being rushed into surgery, the 13-year-old asked a surgeon "Can you say a prayer with me?"
“The surgeon later told us that not only did Endre survive the surgery, he fought through a terrifying event with courage that inspired the entire medical team. That moment of prayer, and Endre's resilience, will stay with our family forever,” the page description read.
The page has so far raised over $76,000.
Pictured: Minneapolis victim Harper Moyski, 10
Friday 29 August 2025 00:15
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Mike Bedigan
BREAKING: Second child killed in Minneapolis shooting identified
Friday 29 August 2025 00:08
,
Mike Bedigan
The second child killed in Wednesday’s shooting in Minneapolis has been identified.
10-year-old Harper Moyski was named in a statement shared today on her parents’ behalf, per CNN.
“Harper was a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her,” the statement from Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin read.
“Our hearts are broken not only as parents, but also for Harper’s sister, who adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss. As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain.”
The statement added: “No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain. We urge our leaders and communities to take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country.
“Change is possible, and it is necessary — so that Harper’s story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies.”
‘Predictable and preventable’: Father of Parkland school shooting victim pleads for gun reform after Minnesota
Friday 29 August 2025 00:00
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Oliver O'Connell
The father of a Parkland school shooting victim has pleaded with President Trump for gun reforms following the Minneapolis shooting on Wednesday.
Manuel Oliver spoke out after a shooter stormed a church in the south side of Minneapolis earlier that day, killing two children and injuring 17, 14 of whom were children.
For Oliver, the scenes of Wednesday’s tragedy were all too familiar, after he lost his son, Joaquin “Guac” Oliver, when a gunman entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018, and killed 17 people.
Madeline Sherratt reports.
11-year-old describes moment bullets flew during attack
Thursday 28 August 2025 23:40
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Mike Bedigan
An 11-year-old Annunciation Catholic School student who was present during Wednesday’s shooting, said she thought the first gunshot was a firework, “like everybody else.”
“The second shot was just everybody just covering their ears,” Chloe Francoual told CNN.
“The third shot was when everybody started ducking low, and all these shots were like slow. Until the fourth shot, it started getting faster and faster, and then that’s when everybody took into action.”
Francoual described how some children had hidden under pews while others had scattered around the church.
She added that she had run into a side room and begun barricading doors with tables and other items, along with several others.
‘Thoughts and prayers are not enough to prevent gun violence’: Democrats push for action
Thursday 28 August 2025 23:20
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Oliver O'Connell
Democratic leaders are calling for the U.S. Congress to do more to tackle school shootings after the deaths of two children in yesterday’s mass shooting in Minnesota.
Nicole Wootton-Cane has the story.
Full story: 8-year-old killed in Minnesota church shooting is identified as father gives heartbreaking statement
Thursday 28 August 2025 23:00
,
Oliver O'Connell
One of the two young victims of Wednesday’s deadly mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school has been identified as Fletcher Merkel, age 8.
“Yesterday, a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son Fletcher away from us,” his father Jessie said at a press conference on Thursday. “Because of their actions, we will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him, and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming.”
Josh Marcus reports.
Melania Trump calls for ‘pre-emptive intervention’
Thursday 28 August 2025 22:45
,
Oliver O'Connell
Melania Trump has called for “pre-emptive intervention” to tackle the early warning signs of potential school shooters after two children were killed at a school in Minneapolis.
In a post on X, the First Lady condemned the “tragic” mass killing and touted the need for “behavioral threat assessments” to identify what she called “warning signs” of would-be killers.
Nicole Wootton-Cane reports.
Read the full statement given by Jesse Merkel, father of eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel
Thursday 28 August 2025 22:27
,
Oliver O'Connell
"Yesterday, a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son Fletcher away from us. Because of their actions, we will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him, and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming.
“Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking, and any sports he was allowed to play.
“While the hole in our lives will never be filled in hope that in time our family can find healing. I pray that the other victims' families can find some semblance of the same.
“I am hopeful that the wounded are able to make a full recovery and return home to their families, and finally, all the people, especially the children, impacted by this horrific event are able to recover mentally and find the strength to live loving, happy, and full lives.
“Over the past day, I have heard many stories recounting the swift and heroic actions of children and adults alike from inside the church. Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more. For these people, I am thankful.
“Moving forward, we ask not for your sympathy but your empathy as our family and the Annunciation community grieve and try to make sense of such a senseless act of violence.
“Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life. Give your kids an extra hug and kiss today. We love you, Fletcher. You'll always be with us."
RFK Jr. uses Minneapolis church shooting to push his latest health initiative
Thursday 28 August 2025 22:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested without any evidence that antidepressant medication might have played a role in the shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis on Wednesday.
Kennedy, who has long speculated that psychiatric drugs play a role in mass shootings, appeared on Fox and Friends on Thursday.
Eric Garcia reports on what Kennedy said and the furious response from Senator Tina Smith.
Eight-year-old victim identified
Thursday 28 August 2025 22:14
,
Oliver O'Connell
Fletcher Merkel, 8, has been identified as one of the two children killed in Wednesday’s mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School.
His father, Jesse Merkel, spoke to reporters about the loss of his son.
He said he hopes all of the people, especially the children, impacted by this event are able to recover mentally.
“Yesterday a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son Fletcher away from us ... Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life. Give your kids an extra hug and kiss today. We love you, Fletcher. You'll always be with us.”
In pictures: State lawmakers call for assault weapons ban
Thursday 28 August 2025 21:43
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Oliver O'Connell
Minnesota lawmakers were joined by members of the clergy and gun control advocacy groups at Minneapolis City Hall on Thursday to call for federal and state bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday.
Nurse mom of Minnesota shooting victim was working in ICU when wounded daughter arrived
Thursday 28 August 2025 21:24
,
Oliver O'Connell
The mother of Sophia Forchas, one of the 15 children injured in Wednesday’s deadly shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school, is a nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit who was working at the hospital the morning when her daughter and others began arriving for emergency treatment.
Josh Marcus reports.
Shooter wanted to kill 'defenseless children' and was familiar with layout of church
Thursday 28 August 2025 21:04
,
Oliver O'Connell
At today’s press conference, the authorities said it is still unclear why the shooter decided to attack the Annunciation Catholic School and church, with Minneapolis Police Chief Biran O’Hara telling reporters: “We have not found a specific trigger for why to target the children at this church.”
However, in “hundreds of pages of writings,” it was clear that the shooter “wanted to kill children, defenseless children,” according to U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Joe Thompson.
Further, the shooter did attend the school, and his mother worked for the parish, so there was a familiarity with the target and when it might be at its most vulnerable.
Chillingly, in a diary seen on a since-removed YouTube video that the shooter posted, plans for an attack on the church are laid out in detail, The New York Post reports.
They include a diagram of the church and how the shooter found the date and time of an all-school mass from a publicly posted schedule on the school’s website.
“I went to that school so I know the layout. I don’t think I really need to do that much recon at the start of the school,” the shooter wrote, even adding which parking spot to use and noting that there would likely be no one to fight back, only “old people and some mom-aged ladies, some with very young kids.”
Uvalde families sent wreath in memory of victims
Thursday 28 August 2025 20:50
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Oliver O'Connell
A wreath of flowers was left at a makeshift memorial on behalf of the families of victims of the Robb Elementary School school shootings in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022.
Another wreath was sent by the Apalachee High School moms — the high school in Winder, Georgia, was the site of a 2024 mass shooting that saw two students and two teachers killed.
Watch: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey calls for ban on assault weapons
Thursday 28 August 2025 20:39
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Oliver O'Connell
Minneapolis Mayor @Jacob_Frey: "We need a statewide and a federal ban on assault weapons." pic.twitter.com/r8HxWbqp5J
— CSPAN (@cspan) August 28, 2025
'The shooter clearly hated all of us'
Thursday 28 August 2025 20:30
,
Oliver O'Connell
At today’s press conference, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said 116 rifle rounds were found at the scene of the shooting, along with one live round from a handgun and three shotgun shells.
O’Hara said that the handgun “appears to have malfunctioned as the shooter attempted to use it and became stuck in the chamber.”
Four search warrants were executed on Wednesday, and among the hundreds of pieces of evidence recovered are electronic devices that will now be processed for analysis.
All evidence will be followed to its logical conclusion. Police say they continue to work toward establishing a specific motive.
“What we can say so far is that this is an individual who, unfortunately, like so many other mass shooters in this country and around the world, had some deranged fascination with previous mass shooters and very disturbing writings toward many individuals and groups of people,” said O’Hara. “And he fantasized about the plans of other mass shooters. Unfortunately, this has become all too common in our society.”
“That being said, we know ultimately the purpose of the shooter’s actions was to obtain notoriety for the shooter themselves. That being said, I have only said the shooter’s name once, and I ask members of the media to stop using the shooter’s name. That was the whole purpose of why he did this heinous act, to obtain notoriety for themselves.”
The Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, Joe Thompson, added that the shooter acted alone and the threat died with the shooter.
On investigating the motive, Thompson said the shooter left behind hundreds of pages of writings describing their plans, mental state, and hate “toward almost every group imaginable.”
“In short, the shooter clearly hated all of us. The shooter’s heart was full of hate,” he said, adding that the only group the shooter admired was other school shooters and mass murderers.
More than anything, the shooter “wanted to kill children, defenseless children.”
“The shooter saw the attack as a way to target our most vulnerable among us while they were at their most vulnerable at school and at church,” Thompson said.
Watch LIVE: Minneapolis police news conference underway
Thursday 28 August 2025 20:13
,
Oliver O'Connell
Law enforcement officials are holding a news conference at the Minneapolis Police Department to give updates on yesterday’s mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and school.
Thursday 28 August 2025 20:02
,
Oliver O'Connell
I'd never imagined that I come to the United States and be in high school and that there would be a school shooting, and that I, myself and my kids to come, would practice school drills on how to avoid being gunned down in one of the greatest nations in the world. There is something fundamentally broken.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.)
Lawmakers call for federal and state bans on assault weapons
Thursday 28 August 2025 19:50
,
Oliver O'Connell
Minnesota Democratic lawmakers called for state and federal bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines at a rally at Minneapolis City Hall.
“There is no reason that someone should be able to reel off 30 shots before they even have to reload,” Minnesota Mayor Jacob Frey said. “We’re not talking about your father’s hunting rifle here. We’re talking about guns that are built to pierce armor and kill people.”
Frey encouraged legislators to think of the children killed and injured in the attack on Annunciation Catholic School as if they were their own.
“Think of those last words that you had with your child just this morning before you sent them into school. You kissed them on the cheek. You got them set up with their shoes. You pushed them a pouch of applesauce. Maybe these were little annoyances, but the truth is, that there’s this common and beautiful thing: We love our children,” he said.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, who represents the area in Congress, added that “it shouldn’t be hard to ban assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition.”
“What is hard, is being a mother, having just dropped off your babies, just returning home to clean up the mess that was left after breakfast … and receiving that phone call, before you are even able to get rid of the residue that your babies left as you dropped them off at school, and to hear that your two angels are no more,” Omar said.
“That someone evil enough was afforded the ability to get a weapon that could be used to assassinate them through a window at their school while they sat for morning Mass.”
She added: “I know that in America, we are people of faith, because these babies that were gunned down were actually kneeling in prayer. But what I do not know is why, uniquely in America, we have the capacity to not change what we know we can.”
FBI director says evidence demonstrates shooting was 'act of domestic terrorism motivated by a hate-filled ideology'
Thursday 28 August 2025 19:35
,
Oliver O'Connell
FBI Director Kash Patel has posted an update on the bureau’s investigation into yesterday’s shooting.
He wrote on X: “As we continue to investigate yesterday’s barbaric attack from Robert Westman, the male subject, our teams have gathered information and evidence demonstrating this was an act of domestic terrorism motivated by a hate-filled ideology.”
Patel provided the following details on the “manifesto” left by Westman:
- Subject left multiple anti-Catholic, anti-religious references both in his manifesto and written on his firearms
- Subject expressed hatred and violence toward Jewish people, writing “Israel must fall,” “Free Palestine,” and using explicit language related to the Holocaust
- He wrote an explicit call for violence against President Trump on a firearm magazine
“The FBI investigation is still ongoing. We will employ all of our counter-terror tools to ensure this is fully investigated and deterred,” he wrote. “And as promised, we will continue to update when able.”
As we continue to investigate yesterday’s barbaric attack from Robert Westman, the male subject, our teams have gathered information and evidence demonstrating this was an act of domestic terrorism motivated by a hate-filled ideology.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) August 28, 2025
Some updates:
-Subject left multiple…
Minneapolis mayor thanks Gov. Walz for additional resources
Thursday 28 August 2025 19:29
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Oliver O'Connell
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has thanked Gov. Tim Walz for sending additional law enforcement resources to the city in the wake of yesterday’s shooting.
He wrote on X: “Thank you @GovTimWalz for sending additional law enforcement resources to patrol and protect our schools, places of worship, and neighborh
