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What We Know with Max Foster
At Least Two Children Killed In Minnesota School Shooting; Denmark Summons U.S. Envoy Over Alleged Greenland Operations; White House Envoy: Trump To Hold "Large Meeting" On Gaza Conflict. Aired 3-4p ET
Aired August 27, 2025 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[15:00:28]
MAX FOSTER, CNN HOST: Children murdered inside a church in Minnesota.
This is WHAT WE KNOW.
Officials say at least two children are dead after a shooting at a Catholic school mass. This was a scene in Minneapolis earlier outside the
Anunciation Catholic School. Families embracing their children amid their worst nightmare.
Multiple sources tell CNN that law enforcement has identified the shooter as Robin Westman. Minneapolis police chief Brian O'Hara says the shooter
approached the school outside the building during mass. He then fired through the windows at people sitting in pews and later took the shooter,
took it -- took their own life inside the church.
O'Hara spoke on the tragedy a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF BRIAN O'HARA, MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT: During the mass, a gunman approached on the outside on the side of the building and began
firing a rifle through the church windows towards the children sitting in the pews at the mass, shooting through the windows. He struck children and
worshipers that were inside the building. The shooter was armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol. This was a deliberate act of violence
against innocent children.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Well, the shooting left at least 14 children and three adults injured.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey had this emotional response.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACOB FREY, MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR: These were Minneapolis families. These were American families. And the amount of pain that they are suffering right now
is extraordinary. And 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.
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.
These are the sort of basic assurances that every family should have. Every step of the day, regardless of where they are in our country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Several young lives and families forever changed after today. Take a listen to one 10-year-old who witnessed this horrific shooting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WESTON HALSNE, 10-YEAR-OLD SHOOTING WITNESS: The first one I was like, what is that? I thought it was just something. When I heard it again, I
just ran under the pew and then I covered my head. My friend Victor, like, saved me though, because he laid on top of me. But he got hit. He was
really brave, and I hope he's good in the hospital.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: We're expecting an update, by the way, from city officials in just a few minutes now, Josh, because were getting more information, aren't we,
about the culprit?
JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And everything we're learning is pointing to a premeditated, well-planned act of just
horrific violence here. The police chief and his update, additional piece of information he told us was that the suspect had actually brought with
him wooden boards that were used to barricade some of the exit doors, presumably to try to keep those children and teachers inside as he fired
upon them from outside the door. Just a truly, truly horrific set of details that we're learning.
We're also told that the suspect had three weapons at the time, a very high powered rifle, as well as a shotgun and a smaller pistol on their person
whenever this actually occurred. Now the individual has been identified. Authorities are working now to try to determine a possible motive. Of
course, whatever they uncover, this will never really make sense to any rational person. Why someone would do something like this, but because a
sad reality in the U.S. is back to school means more back to school shootings. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies study these various
acts of violence in order to try to understand key commonalities.
One major theme that we're hearing from law enforcement experts is that so often, these shooters will exhibit warning signs well in advance of
actually conducting an act of violence. So, a major question marks for law enforcement at this hour, did anyone in the shooter's orbit know what was
about to happen, or whether this person had been suffering from any type of issues?
FOSTER: As you say, we keep hearing similar stories, don't we?
[15:05:01]
Always horrific.
We heard from one of the young children describe how they actually rehearsed for these sorts of events, but within the school, not within the
church. And that really brings to light the sort of environment some of these kids are living in.
CAMPBELL: That's right. I mean, children here in the United States are constantly having to do drills. Some of them quite lifelike. You know what
to do if they're -- there's a warning, what to do if you hear the sound of gunshots. This is now something that is part of training for teachers as
well in this country, constantly trying to, you know, repetition, repetition, train. What would we do if this actually occurs? Because this
is something that we see so often in this country, just multiple mass shootings.
We're told from the local law enforcement or, excuse me, the local hospital there that was receiving these patients, they just had a separate mass
casualty event happened within the last 24 hours. And so, this is sadly something that police are familiar with, first responders familiar with.
And sadly, children as well.
FOSTER: Josh Campbell, thank you for that update.
U.S. senator from Minnesota, Amy Klobuchar, told our Dana Bash her former employees daughter was at the Annunciation Catholic Schools mass and saw
some of her best friends get shot. One in the neck, one in the stomach, Klobuchar said. The daughter then had to tell the father of one of her
friends what happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-MN): When you see these innocent kids praying in a church and they get gunned down by a madman, you have to step back and
think, what can we do better? What can we do better with background checks or with assault weapons, which may not have played in to this situation?
But every situation is different, and there are a number of things we can do that would not hurt law abiding gun owners, of which there are so many
in our -- my state and in our country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Amy Klobuchar speaking.
Joining us now, Axel Henry, who serves as the St. Paul police chief. St. Paul is the twin city of Minneapolis.
St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry, thank you so much for joining us here today.
You obviously got very close contacts with many of the people involved here. Just describe the atmosphere today.
CHIEF AXEL HENRY, ST. PAUL POLICE DEPARTMENT: Well, you know, anytime a situation like happens like this the entire law enforcement community is
going to come together pretty quickly. I was texting him and speaking directly with Chief O'Hara very early this morning, offering our support in
any manner that it would be needed. Obviously in the early points of the investigation, we were unclear about how big this was, how many people were
potentially involved, as well as the types of threats that were out there, whether it would be explosives or firearms or any other things.
And so, we've offered our resources, we come together, we actually have two employees that I know of so far who have relatives that were in the school.
One of I know that was also shot. And so, these things hit us all very close to home. And, we take them extremely seriously.
FOSTER: Just didn't seem preventable, did it? There's no suggestion that this was going to happen. It was in a church where obviously people usually
feel safe. You know, what are your thoughts on preventing events like this?
HENRY: Well, I think, you know, preparation is the key. We have great relationships here in St. Paul with the St. Paul public school system, as
well as our both, you know, the public and parochial schools. Nowadays, most cities have a whole bunch of different style schools. Your traditional
just public school setting is not the only form that they have.
And so, have those conversations, have those relationships. Our SWAT team goes out to the different schools and different businesses for that matter,
and scouts out those locations and tells you if you've got something that is particularly threatening to you whether someone could barricade a door
against you or if there are conditions or situations inside of your building that make you safer or things that you can do for prevention.
And we also want to make sure law enforcement, the first time they're responding to your location on a serious event like this isn't the first
time that we've been there. We know the layout, we're familiar with it. Because really what we're talking about here is threats to any collection
point where people gather in mass. That's where people who want to do harm can have their most effective strikes against the public. And so, we want
to make sure that we're taking those into account, and we're having those relationships and partnerships in advance so we can help fortify those. And
prevention is really the key.
FOSTER: Yeah. But then prevention, how far do you take it? You know, how protected do you live your life, you know, barricade everything up or
accept that events can happen and have some freedom with your life? I mean, it's a really tough balancing act, isn't it?
HENRY: Yeah, it is. I think one of the things we should all be considering as a country, and I know this is a controversial point, but you know, a lot
of these folks, we want to prevent the next one are craving the notoriety that comes with it. This is an unbelievably cowardly and selfish act. And I
can tell you that, you will never hear me speak this persons name once they're identified.
[15:10:01]
They want the notoriety. We, I think, as a country have to decide that we are not going to give them the attention. There's a craving out there to
understand what happened. But most of this is basically beyond understanding.
And I think that the clinicians and the researchers and law enforcement need to really study what, how that happened so they can prevent it in the
future. But we as a community have to stop saying, we're not going to speak your name. We're not going to were not going to give you an advertisement
for your actions so that you can live on with your notoriety.
FOSTER: You have an issue with the media there as well then?
HENRY: Well, I understand the media has a job to do. I can appreciate that. But I think we can all decide what we want to do as a -- as a
community and as a society. I -- the name is going to get out there. I don't think that's -- that -- that's unavoidable. But I do think that we
need to be very precise about how we treat these issues because, again, we don't want to spur on the next person to do something like this.
And again, the credit that gets given out for this and the notoriety that comes with it is something that we know that folks that are suffering from
the things they suffer from, that would make them do this in the first place. That is one of the things that they look for.
FOSTER: St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry, our thoughts with everyone in that region. Thank you so much for joining us today.
The White House says President Donald Trump spoke by phone earlier with Minnesota's governor, Tim Walz, about the shooting. In an earlier online
post, Mr. Trump said he'd been briefed on the matter and administration officials will continue to monitor any developments.
CNN's Kevin Liptak is here, with more from the White House.
I mean, it's going to move into that debate, isn't it, about gun control and the use of guns and how many guns are around?
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yeah, I think that's probably an accurate prediction. And you've already heard from Democrats
like Amy Klobuchar, the senator from Minnesota, say that this is a conversation that needs to start immediately. But I think, you know, just a
reality check here. It's not a conversation that will be led from here at the White House. It's not a conversation that will go anywhere in the
Republican-led House or in the Republican-led Senate.
And this is a place that so many, we have been so many times in the United States where after a tragedy like this, politicians sort of make noises
about trying to restrict access by these very troubled individuals to the weapons that are used to create this kind of horrific tragedy, and then
that conversation just sort of dissolves into the ether, and everyone just moves on, you know, that's how this has gone many times before. And it's
going to probably go that way again. But that isn't necessarily going to stop individuals from talking about sending out their thoughts and prayers
for the victims.
You saw President Trump do that. Say that. Please join me in praying for everyone involved. You had the Vice President J.D. Vance himself, a
practicing Catholic and the father of two young kids, saying that all of us were praying for the victims at the White House. Pam Bondi, who was here at
the White House, she's the U.S. attorney general, saying that her prayers were with everyone involved in this tragedy.
That does stand in quite stark contrast to the mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, who was out earlier today saying, don't just say this is about
thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying. And so, you already start to see kind of the contrast there and how American
officials are responding to this.
We did see President Trump sign a proclamation lowering the American flag to half-staff. And you see that there at the top of the White House. And
we've seen the two sort of giant flags that the president put in place on the north and south lawns. Those have been lowered as well. For the first
time since he put those into place. And so symbolic signs of how the White House and how President Trump are responding.
But, max, you know, everyone who has covered this for years and years knows where this debate is headed, and it's headed nowhere. Gun control is just
not an issue that's politically salvageable in the United States, at least at the current moment. That is just the reality, and I think it probably
needs to be said that, you know, after all of these shootings, almost no laws have been put in place to restrict the kinds of weapons that these
individuals have access to. And that is probably how this is going to go this time as well.
FOSTER: Kevin Liptak, thank you so much.
We're showing images there where Kevin is of the White House. The flag being flown at half-staff. So, obviously, the whole nation feeling very
really reflecting how the whole nation is feeling today. But as Kevin says, you know where it goes from here, where the debate and the change comes
from here are a bit more pessimism.
It's one of the most resource rich islands in the Atlantic, meanwhile, one that President Trump wants to acquire. We'll look at what might be a covert
operation to do just that. It's a mystery. We'll explain.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:17:53]
FOSTER: Denmark has summoned the U.S. envoy over an intelligence report alleging covert operations in Greenland. Denmark's public broadcaster
reports at least three Americans with ties to Donald Trump are conducting influence campaigns in Greenland. That's sparking concerns they could be
working to shift public opinion against Denmark. The U.S. president has publicly expressed his ambition to acquire the island.
Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark. What we don't know is whether these American spies operating in Greenland.
Joining me now is Jim Townsend, adjunct senior fellow at the Transatlantic Security Program.
Thank you for joining us.
I mean, I'll ask you about what you have read about this story in a moment, but I guess we can assume if this was a covert operation, the U.S. wouldn't
confirm it anyway, so we may never get an answer.
JIM TOWNSEND, FORMER U.S. DEPUYT ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Well, I think that's probably right. It seemed to me so sloppy. It just -- I've
worked with the intel community for years as part of my job in the Pentagon. And this doesn't sound like something, one of their operations.
And also, like you point out, we're not going to hear if it is or not.
And usually, these things are done behind the scenes. If something like this happens, it's done intel agency to intel agency. It doesn't become
public. So, this just seems a little bit different.
FOSTER: It could be a perhaps a communication agencies, perhaps, that have got links with the administration who have gone in, perhaps going a bit
rogue, trying to turn the conversation within Greenland. I mean, that sort of thing does happen, doesn't it? Happens in political campaigns
domestically.
TOWNSEND: Well, that's right. And in fact, it almost sounds like that something rogue, you know, maybe some supporters of Donald Trump. I mean,
the way he was described is that that they have ties to Donald Trump instead of ties to the U.S. government or members of the U.S. government.
But it made it sound like it's not an a -- on a U.S. government thing, but something else. And we're just going to have to hear what else the Danes
know and what else the U.S. might say.
FOSTER: Oh, but why wouldn't someone in the intel community deny it or confirm it? You know, why haven't we heard anything at all?
[15:20:02]
TOWNSEND: Well, that's usually the way they are. Is they're not going to necessarily say anything. They're going to leave it to the White House to
say something or not. And then it'll just go quiet, because, like I said, usually, particularly between allies, it's done intel agency to intel
agency. And it's totally quiet. It doesn't go public.
So, that's what makes me think this is something you mentioned that using the word rogue. I think that's the right description of this so far. But
we're just going to have to wait.
FOSTER: Pretty insulting, though, to the Danish, isn't it, when they are such close allies.
TOWNSEND: It is. It's shameful. I'm hoping -- I'm hoping that this is some rogue group that will be, you know, swept off the table at some point. But
if in fact, this is an official thing that the U.S. government had sanctioned and was doing or something along those lines, it would be just
shameful to go about this kind of operation with an ally, particularly an ally like Denmark.
We're very close to Denmark. Our militaries work together all the time. I worked with Denmark for many years. And Denmark was always with us in tough
times. Always sending forces, always sending their F-16s.
And for us to do something like this is just -- it's insulting to them and insulting to us to.
FOSTER: Where do you think they'll take it from here? Because actually, for Denmark, their language, you know, their public statements around all
of this have been very strong, haven't they? And they are coming up against, you know, a key ally for them. And it is going to perhaps do some
damage to them by being so outspoken against the Trump White House right now. But they clearly feel very strongly about this.
Have you seen them as outspoken about this in terms of diplomatic language, at least?
TOWNSEND: No, not really, because we haven't been in this kind of situation before in terms of our bilateral relations. They were very strong
on this, and they seem very sure of what they have found out. And I guess they are holding these three people that they have.
But you're absolutely right. This is very strong. And I think in keeping with the temper of the times in Denmark, in Copenhagen, where they've been
upset now for a few months about what's been coming out of the White House.
So, saying something soft and nice and diplomatic I don't think there's any room for that politically. And in Copenhagen, I think they're really upset.
And I think the tone of voice coming out of Copenhagen reflected that. And so next steps, the charge, who was there is going to go back to Washington
with a cable and say, this is what I was told, and then it's going to be over to the White House to say something.
FOSTER: Okay. Jim Townsend, we weren't working with much there. Thank you very much for giving us what you could on it, though. But I guess it comes
with the territory. But it is fascinating. Thanks for joining us.
Now, at this hour, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting with the Israeli foreign minister to discuss the war in Gaza. That's in addition to
what U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff describes as a large meeting being held at the White House today to try to come up with a comprehensive plan
on Gaza's future.
To the White House now, and CNN's Jeff Zeleny.
These are substantive meetings with some really key players involved. Do you think it's going to go anywhere, or what do you understand is the hope
here?
JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF U.S. NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Max, the hope is for a -- some type of a discussion for a postwar Gaza. That's why
we are learning that Jared Kushner, President Trump's son in law, who, of course, was very active in the Trump administration in Middle East
negotiations, is back at the White House today. We are told, for these meetings for post-war Gaza. But one problem with that is there is very
little discussions. There are very little discussions here in Washington and certainly at the White House that they're talking about, about how to
end the conflict.
So, the conversations for a postwar Gaza are in some respects premature, because there, you know, have been very few developments recently. And the
president has talked very little about the really a stalemate here in the negotiated a peace process. The Israeli hostages have still not been,
returned and things have effectively stalled. But these meetings -- one of the reasons the White House is saying virtually nothing about this is it's
for a postwar plan. And again, the question of that is when would that to take place?
But the president's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, told Fox that he believes the conflict will be ended by the end of the year. Of course, that is some
four or five months away.
FOSTER: In terms of the key players here, as you say, they are there, aren't they? I gather that Tony Blair was there as well. It's interesting
how Donald Trump is really trying to open up the debate and get ideas here.
ZELENY: He is. There were reports that Tony Blair was here. Of course, the former British prime minister, you know, who's been very active in some
types of dealings with Jared Kushner and others.
[15:25:01]
But again, it's for -- you'll remember, I'm thinking back right now to a President Trump's very controversial statement about developing Gaza. He
was talking about effectively putting hotels and other things on it. That was several months ago when he first came into the White House. Of course,
those discussions have gone nowhere because there is no postwar period. And of course, it's not for the United States to develop in the first place.
But for all the discussions going on about this, again, the White House is saying very little, and it's unclear if any of these conversations are
really coming to a fruition in terms of what could be done. But the U.S. can talk about it all they would like. But until there is an actual end to
the conflict, it's a bit of a moot point.
FOSTER: Jeff, thank you.
Now it's about to become significantly harder for many Americans to get a COVID vaccine, especially children. The U.S. health secretary, Robert F.
Kennedy Jr., has announced new rules for who's eligible. That means that Pfizer's COVID vaccine is no longer available for children younger than
five, and Moderna's vaccine is only available to kids with an underlying condition.
Children are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. One pro-vaccine group called the move anti-children and anti-science.
Still to come, police in Minneapolis searching for answers in the aftermath of today's school shooting. We're expected to hear an update from officials
any minute. We'll bring it to you as soon as it goes live.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: Returning to our top story, an investigation underway after a deadly school shooting in Minnesota. Multiple sources tell CNN that law
enforcement has identified the shooter as Robin Westman, the Minneapolis police chief offered these details a short while ago.
[15:30:05]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
O'HARA: We believe he is deceased. He is in his early 20s. Does not have an extensive known criminal history. And we are looking through information
left behind to try and determine some type of motive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Isabel Rosales following all these developments for us, and we're expecting more details on the culprit, let's call him that.
ISABEL ROSALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right. And a press conference should happen at any moment now from the city of Minneapolis that would include
the police department and the mayor. We're hopefully we can get more details as they're piecing this active investigation together. We do know,
based on a CNN analysis, that this school shooting marks the 44th such shooting in the United States this year alone.
Now, the latest information, Max, is the name, the identity of that shooter. According to the FBI, is Robin Westman. In their early 20s, the
shooter was, and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Now, this person does not have an extensive criminal history. We found out from the Minneapolis police chief. And they are working around the clock
here, checking this person's car that they left behind there at the church and school, and certainly filing search warrants.
So, look deeply into their history, whether that's online or physically at their home.
Now, what we saw, Max, from that press conference with the mayor and the police chief were two individuals, two city leaders, deeply emotional and
disturbed and frankly angry over what it is that has happened. The shooting, the senseless shooting that has left two children dead and so
many others injured.
Now, the police chief says that during mass, Westman approached, the church and began firing through the windows. The police chief says, aiming toward
the children that were sitting in those pews praying. And this would have been their first. It is their first week of school, day three. And timing
it precisely targeting in a moment where the whole school would have been leading mass together.
Now listen to a ten-year-old that was there on the ground, witnessed the shooting and says a friend helped listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WESTON HALSNE, 10-YEAR-OLD SHOOTING WITNESS: The first one I was like, what is that? I thought it was just something. When I heard it again, I
just ran under the pew and then I covered my head. My friend Victor, like, saved me though, because he laid on top of me. But he got hit. He was
really brave, and I hope he's good in the hospital.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROSALES: This act of violence, Max, devastating a place of prayer and sanctuary. We saw live images of parents coming to pick up their children,
covering their mouths, just distraught over what they were seeing, crying, hugging their children a little tighter. We were also told by a doctor at
one of the nearby hospitals that they are seeing ten patients, seven of them in critical condition, six of them children. Several patients
requiring surgery with ages as young as six years old -- Max.
FOSTER: Josh was suggesting that the shooter barricaded up the, you know, one of the doors as well so people couldn't get out. It does feel like a
particularly brutal event when you consider it's in a church. And children were targeted at such a young age.
ROSALES: Right. And what an unusual situation that in this case, it appears that the shooter was trying to barricade them in. So instead of,
like, running away, for example, putting a two by four as a police chief described it at the door there to, it seems, keep his victim, his or her
victims in the church, and also the fact that they came prepared with three different sorts of guns, a pistol or rifle or shotgun. Police believe that
that shooter fired all three of them before taking their own life.
FOSTER: Isabel, thank you. It's absolutely grim, but we will get more details soon. Thank you for bringing us that.
In the last hour, my colleagues Brianna Keilar and Boris Sanchez spoke with a witness who was on the scene helping some of the victims that Isabel was
referring to. This is what he told them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PATRICK SCALLEN, LIVES NEAR WHERE SHOOTING HAPPENED (via telephone): People were starting to pour out of the church, and right away, almost
there were three children that were obviously hurt. And I just kind of stayed with them until the EMTs came and tried to give them some comfort,
because they were obviously in a lot of distress, and two of them were very hurt.
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: Yes, Patrick, could you share with us what you told them to try to calm them down?
SCALLEN: Well, yes.
The one -- one girl said, "Can you just please hold my hand?" And I did. And I think that helped her.
[15:35:00]
And she had -- shot had grazed her forehead. And I think she's very fortunate, because if that -- I think, a little bit closer, and it would
have been a different result.
But she was so brave. And there was another girl that -- right next to her that was shot in the neck. And she was -- I kept a pretty hard focus on
her, because I -- in case she went into acute distress. She was having some problems breathing, but she was alert and talking.
And I just -- I kept telling them: "Your mom and dad -- I'm going to call your mom and dad. I'm going to let them know. You're going to be OK," just
mainly reassurance.
And then the boy that was there was -- he just had his arm grazed, as far as I know. And he was so brave. And I think he was doing everything he
could to help the situation and comfort those girls, too.
It was -- it was a difficult situation. But I'm guardedly optimistic that those kids are going to be OK.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: The shooting happened during the first week of class at Annunciation Catholic School. Images of parents rushing to reunite with
their children, and all too familiar scene in America.
According to a CNN analysis, there have been 44 U.S. school shootings so far this year.
My next guest, Kris Brown, serves as the president of Brady, a nonprofit organization that focuses on gun violence protection.
I mean, are the numbers going up? I mean, those numbers are extraordinary to anyone outside America, I have to say.
KRIS BROWN, PRESIDENT, BRADY: Yeah, it is. I lived outside of America for some time, and America has a significant problem with gun violence. It's
the number one killer of our kids. And while we have seen historic lows in violent crime across this country as a result of the kind of policies that
President Biden had put in place, indeed, the numbers are not going in a good direction. And, we have a president now, President Trump, who is
really actively working to reverse many of the kinds of policies that have contributed to reductions in homicide.
FOSTER: A handgun, a rifle, I think three different firearms effectively, the attacker today had with them. We'll wait to see whether or not they had
licenses. But, you know, what are your thoughts on that? Is it acceptable for some people to have firearms or should they all just be got rid of?
Because if they're there, then people can use them?
BROWN: Well, we do have a second amendment in the United States. And so, we do have a right to bear arms. It is really related to a militia. And a
lot of our laws in the United States are based on the idea that we don't want individuals intent on doing harm, to have easy access to firearms.
That's why I am here. I'm the president of Brady and Jim and Sarah passed our background check system, which is intended at its heart to ensure that
individuals intent on doing harm to others don't have easy access to firearms.
We don't know the details of this particular shooter. I do know Minnesota has what we call an extreme risk protection law. Like many states across
this country, it enacted that law to remove firearms from individuals who are at risk to themselves or others based on the published reports of this
shooter and what he said on YouTube that seemed to indicate an intent to do harm.
I think the right kind of questions are, could that law have been in effect here? And where did the guns come from? Did he purchase them? Did someone
purchase them on his behalf?
We need to get to the bottom of those kinds of questions and understand what, if any, laws here could have made a difference. And if some could
have, we need to enact them because states with stronger gun laws have less gun death and injury, stronger laws save lives.
FOSTER: We had a police officer on the show earlier on who vowed not ever to say the name of this attacker or indeed any other shooter, because what
they're looking for is notoriety, and we shouldn't be giving them what they want. It only encourages other shooters to come along because they're
seeking notoriety.
Do you have sympathy for that view? Should we be naming these people?
BROWN : We absolutely should not. I have a huge amount of sympathy for that view, because the no notoriety campaign was actually founded by survivors
of gun violence who lost relatives, loved ones in shootings and the studies show exactly what that commentator, that law enforcement person said, that
copycats are spurred by that kind of notoriety.
[15:40:02]
So, I fully respect and support that. And, of course, appreciate all media outlets who follow that with the clear guidance that that's the best
approach to reduce the real risk of copycats.
FOSTER: We are expecting any moment now police update where they will tell us more about the shooter, probably give the name because, you know, they
have to, you know, give that information, don't they? And start talking about a motive. I mean, what's -- how would you like to see the media
covering those sorts of events when there's clearly a public interest in knowing what the cause was here for such a tragedy, so we can learn from
it.
BROWN: Yeah. Well, I so appreciate you asking that question. And of course, you're right. The police, in doing that public announcement, may
well, and I've already seen it released the name of the shooter and those details.
I think the role of the media is, of course, to report the news. The role of the media is also to educate the public about these real risks of
copycats. So, I think in reporting the news, the burden is on the media to say -- well, the police are providing this information. We are not
repeating the name of the shooter, understanding the real risk to the public, to our own children of the kind of notoriety that sort here and the
risk of copycats.
And we're not encouraging that or facilitating that in any way. And it's a tough thing, right? It's a challenge for the media, but I think it's one
that is in manifestly in the public interest for the media to undertake.
FOSTER: Okay. Kris Brown, it's obviously something that we debate all the time. You know, on the shows in the industry and really appreciate your
thoughts on that as we wait for this moment when we will get more information.
We'll leave you with live images from the scene there. The aftermath of, you know, one of the most horrific days in Minneapolis modern history.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: An update from Governor Tim Walz in Minnesota.
[15:45:00]
GOV. TIM WALZ (D), MINNESOTA: -- service and Catholic values, filled with the first days of school, are beautiful children going to learn those
values, share with their teachers and their classmates, and instead of that joy and that curiosity, that learning, they were met with evil and horror
and death.
And we often come to these and say, it's unspeakable tragedies or there's no words for this, there shouldn't be words for these types of incidents
because they should not happen and there's no words that are going to ease the pain of the families today.
On behalf of all the people of Minnesota, our deepest sympathies. A wish that any of these words would make what you're feeling now better, but it
won't. A place that's founded on community, founded on service, founded on family.
I'd like to give special thank you to the mayor and the team in Minneapolis, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff's
Office, Minnesota State Patrol, the BCA, so many agencies, our federal partners in the FBI, the first responders and heroic work that's happening
now as we speak at multiple medical locations, including Hennepin County Medical Center, where most of our children were transported to, to receive
the life saving care.
The thoughts and prayers and the hopes and the support that we need to give them in this moment, too, is critical.
Speaking with all the people here and grateful to our federal partners, Senator Klobuchar speaking early this morning and receiving a call from
President Trump, who was with his leadership team of the attorney general and the vice president, expressing their deep condolences amongst the
horror that happened in an offer to provide the support to the folks here in Minnesota of what's needed.
So a lot of cameras here, and unfortunately, we have been through these types of things. They will be gone some point. All of you have to you have
to do your jobs. But what happened here today will not be gone.
Minnesotans will not step away. We'll stand with this community. We'll redouble ourselves to do the best we can to understand what we can do to
prevent any parent from having to receive the calls they received today. From any school dedicated to children having to respond to a situation
that, as we said, is unthinkable, but that's all too common, not just in Minnesota, but across this country.
It's Minnesota's day today. And it's my strongest desire that no state, no community, no school ever experiences a day like this.
So I ask the rest of folks around the country who are watching, keep us in your thoughts and prayers, but also keep us in the thoughts for action.
Keep us in the ideas that we can work together. And it's on these days like this, I think, and I hope we can hold on to it. We are unified as a
community. Everybody across the country today is part of the Annunciation Parish and they're with those families.
With that, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
MAYOR JACOB FREY, (D) MINNEAPOLIS: Thank you, Governor.
Throughout the morning, we have seen this extraordinary Minneapolis family step up in thousands of different ways, people with strength, resilience,
compassion and love for the families that have been forever impacted by this heinous act.
We want to make sure that we're doing everything possible for them right now. And I want to give a special thank you. And we are so grateful to all
of the faculty and the teachers at Annunciation.
The way that they acted during severe threat and danger was nothing short of heroic. This is a tragic and horrible event that would ever -- should
never occur, and it would have been all the more tragic and horrible had they not stepped in at times, perhaps put themselves in danger to protect
others. As horrible as this has been, it could have been far worse.
I'm grateful for our law enforcement partners, our police officers in the Minneapolis Police Department and other law enforcement agencies well
beyond that step up that answered the call to make sure that they were running towards danger when so many of the rest of us would have run in the
other direction.
[15:50:05]
Thank you. We are so appreciative of your service.
To Principal DeBoer and your whole team, the ethic that you have showed, the love that you've shown, it's flat out incredible. And at the same time,
look, we need to be doing more than talking. It can't just be words. There needs to be action.
And when we have seen school shooting after school shooting, when we have seen churches get shot up by horrible actors, I think the impetus has to be
on all of us as leaders to do a whole lot more, to recognize that we've got more guns in this country than we have people.
And it's on all of us to recognize the truth and the reality that we can't just say that this shouldn't happen again and then allow it to happen again
and again beyond that. It's on all of us. And I have heard about a whole lot of hate that's being directed at our trans community.
Anybody who is using this as an opportunity to villainize our trans community or any other community out there has lost their sense of common
humanity. We should not be operating out of a place of hate for anyone. We should be operating from a place of love for our kids.
Kids died today. This needs to be about them. This needs to be wrapping our arms around these families with every bit of love that we can possibly
show.
And I know that our Minneapolis family and well beyond is prepared to do exactly that. And so my message to everyone out there is, again, these
families are experiencing some acute pain right now.
But don't just think of these as somebody else's kids. Think of your own. Let's make sure that we're acting now to not just say it's never happening
again but ensure it doesn't. Our chief of police has been working tirelessly throughout the day, along with, again, a number of different law
enforcement agencies, investigators, federal partners, state partners.
Thank you, Senator Klobuchar, for being here. Been working tirelessly. And I'd like to invite him up to give some more of the details that have come
up.
Chief?
O'HARA: My name is Brian O'Hara, B-R- I-A-N, O-apostrophe-H-A-R-A. I am the Minneapolis police chief.
Good afternoon and thank you all for your patience as we continue to gather the facts in this investigation into this truly unthinkable tragedy that
happened here earlier today.
I want to make sure that we are providing the most accurate information possible, particularly as we speak around our victims. At this point, we
know we have a total of 19 victims from this tragedy. Two were young children, ages 8 and 10, that were sitting in the pews at mass when they
were shot and killed. They were pronounced deceased on the scene.
There were another 14 children between the ages of 6 and 15 that were injured by gunfire. There were also three adults in their 80s that were
parishioners here attending mass that were also shot in this incident.
The families of all of the children that have been affected have been notified. The coward that shot these victims took his own life in the rear
of the church. That coward has been identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, no prior criminal history.
As to the weapons used to perpetrate this horrific attack, there was a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol. All three had been lawfully purchased by
the shooter. At this stage, we believe that the shooter had acted alone. There is no indication of other suspects directly involved in carrying out
this attack.
Our investigators are working with other agencies in the process of executing four search warrants. One is for the church itself where this
crime occurred. The other three are residences nearby in the metro that are related to this shooter.
[15:55:00]
Additional firearms are being recovered from those three residential locations as we speak.
We're also aware of a manifesto that the shooter had timed to be released on YouTube. This manifesto appeared to show him at the scene and included
some disturbing writings. That content has since been taken down with the assistance of the FBI, and it now remains under active review by our
investigators.
We know this community is reeling and is in pain. I want to ensure everyone in our community, this parish, all of the families affected, and all of our
residents, that all of law enforcement collectively, local law enforcement in our county, our state, and all of our federal law enforcement partners
have been here, and we are all working tirelessly to uncover the full scope of what happened, to try and identify a motive why it happened, and whether
there are any other further details.
We will continue to share updates as the investigation progresses. And we remain committed to being as transparent as possible while protecting the
integrity of this investigation.
In a moment I will take some questions that I am able to answer, but first I want to bring up the principal of Annunciation School, Matt DeBoer, as
well as after him the Archbishop, our Archbishop Bernard Hebda -- Principal.
MATT DEBOER, PRINCIPAL, ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL: Good afternoon everyone. To any of our students and families and staff watching right now, I love you.
You're so brave, and I'm so sorry this happened to us today.
Within seconds of this situation beginning, our teachers were heroes. Children were ducked down, adults were protecting children, older children
were protecting younger children, and as we heard earlier, it could have been significantly worse without their heroic action.
This is a nightmare, but we call our staff the dream team, and we will recover from this. We will rebuild from this. When we planned for this
school year, we intentionally chose a theme from the prophet Jeremiah Chapter 29, a future filled with hope. There's nothing about today that can
fill us with hope.
We as a community have a responsibility to make sure that no child, no parent, no teacher ever has to experience what we've experienced today ever
again. I need everybody to commit those words to your speech patterns -- never again. We lost two angels today, and please continue to pray for
those still receiving care.
We can't change the past, but we can do something about the future. There's an African proverb that says, when you pray, move your feet. So I beg you,
I ask you to please pray, but don't stop with your words.
Let's make a difference and support this community, these children, these families, these teachers. Never again can we let this happen. I love you,
Annunciation family. We're with you, and we will be stronger when this is done.
Archbishop Hebda will be coming next.
ARCHBISHOP BERNARD HEBDA, CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SAINT PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS: Thank you, Principal DeBoer.
I'm so grateful that Mayor Frey and the Chief both mentioned how valiant you and your staff were. I'm so grateful to the pastor here at
Annunciation, Father Dennis Zehren (ph), for the deacon, Deacon Kevin Kenneally (ph), also were heroic in this time.
But how sad it is, for sure, not only for the families who are directly involved, but indeed for families everywhere who feel the threat that comes
from an event, a tragedy like today's.
I would never want to correct a principal, but Principal DeBoer said it wasn't so clear where would be the source of hope. And brothers and
sisters, we have to be men and women of hope.
Already today, I've been receiving messages from all over our country, promising prayers. And I think it's the prayers of the feet as well,
Principal. That is, for me, is a source of hope, just as we see families stepping forward to help those who have been impacted by this terrible
tragedy.
Very grateful that Principal DeBoer spoke about prayer. Certainly, that -- the bell in a Catholic Church is always a call to prayer. And so, it's a
reminder for us, for sure, to be praying. And we have to recognize that it's through prayer and through that prayer of the feet, through that
action, that we can indeed make a difference. That has to be the source of our hope.
END
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