Minneapolis School Shooting Kills 2 Injures 17 Mayor Defends Trans Community

Following the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, where a transgender gunman killed two children and injured 17 others, Mayor Jacob Frey urged the public not to villainize the transgender community. Frey emphasized that those using the incident to direct hate at the trans community have "lost their sense of common humanity," calling instead for love and support for the victims' families. The shooter, Robin Westman, who legally changed his name from Robert in 2019, used multiple firearms during the attack before taking his own life. Despite strong backlash and criticism from various commentators who argue the focus should be on the victims rather than the shooter's identity, Frey maintained that the tragedy should not become a pretext for hatred against any group. The mayor also criticized individuals who offered only thoughts and prayers, urging action to prevent future tragedies. The incident has sparked debate over the intersection of the shooter’s identity and the community’s response to the violence.