During the vice-presidential debate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz shared that his teenage son, Gus, witnessed a shooting at the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, in January 2023. Walz described the incident, where a 27-year-old employee shot a 16-year-old boy in the head, leaving the victim with permanent brain damage and seizures. Walz's anecdote elicited sympathy from his opponent, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who called the situation 'awful.' The discussion highlighted the candidates' differing views on gun control, with Walz advocating for stronger regulations and Vance emphasizing a focus on mental health. The debate also touched on broader issues of gun violence, with both candidates acknowledging the crisis but proposing different solutions.