Law Enforcement Continues to Investigate Minneapolis Shooting While Parent of 8 Year Old Boy Killed Makes Public Statement

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – August 28, 2025

Host: Lisa Lucera, FOX News Podcasts
Episode Theme:
This episode delivers breaking national news, with a focused report on the investigation into the tragic mass shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis, updates on federal and state government actions, legal news, economic data, and crime prevention efforts from California.

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1. Major Story: Minneapolis Catholic Church Shooting

Overview

• Two children killed, 18 injured in a shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic church; suspect died by suicide.
• Ongoing investigation into the shooter's motives and background.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Motive and Investigation

  • Police emphasize shooter was "filled with hatred" and "obsessed with the thought of killing children" ([00:02], Lisa Lucera).
  • Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O. Harris: Evidence at the scene included three shotgun shells, 116 rifle rounds, a live but unused handgun round, and personal writings from the suspect ([00:18], [00:31]).
  • Chief Harris notes the suspect's primary motive included a desire for notoriety and a "deranged fascination with other mass shootings" ([00:49]).

• Media's Role in Reporting

  • Authorities urge media not to publicize the shooter’s name, referencing the shooter's stated pursuit of infamy ([00:43], Fox News Reporter).

• Family Response

  • Jesse Merkel, father of 8-year-old victim Fletcher, released a statement:

    “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.” ([00:59], Jesse Merkel via reporter)

  • Merkel expressed hope for healing for both his family and the other victim’s family ([01:13], Lisa Lucera).

Notable Quotes

• “The shooter left behind writings that showed notoriety was one of the motives for Wednesday's killings...”
  — Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O. Harris ([00:31])

• “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.”
  — Jesse Merkel, father of victim Fletcher ([00:59])

• “[The suspect] had a deranged fascination with other mass shootings.”
  — Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O. Harris ([00:49])

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2. Federal Government Update

CDC Leadership Change

• Jim O’Neill appointed acting head of the CDC, replacing Susan Monarz who was forced out after disagreements on vaccine policy ([01:13]).
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS Secretary, described the CDC as “an agency that is very troubled” ([01:31], Fox News Reporter).

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3. Legal News

Tyree Nichols Case

• Judge orders new trial for three former Memphis police officers previously convicted in the fatal beating of Tyree Nichols in 2023, following arguments of judicial bias ([01:33]).

Miami Attorney Bribery Case

• Prosecutors drop charges against prominent Miami defense attorney David Macy, accused in a DEA bribery conspiracy; charges to be formally dismissed in a year contingent on no further infractions ([03:17], Lisa Lucera).

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4. Crime Prevention in California

Newsom’s Statewide Response

• Governor Gavin Newsom expands crime suppression teams with the California Highway Patrol, targeting high-crime urban regions, informed by “intelligence gathering” and “data-driven” strategies ([02:29]-[03:02]).

  • Teams: Minimum 15 operators each, includes K9s, officers, lieutenants, sergeants.
  • Positive impacts already seen—over 9,000 arrests, nearly 6,000 stolen vehicles recovered, and over 400 firearms seized.

• “These operations will be targeted... They’ll be unannounced efforts.”
  — Governor Gavin Newsom ([02:48])

• Newsom also noted California’s murder rate is lower than Republican-led states ([03:17], Lisa Lucera).

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5. Economic Update

Key Data

• Q2 GDP revised upward to 3.3% growth: driven by increased corporate profits and consumer spending ([03:51], Economic Analyst).
• Q1 contraction explained by import surge rather than economic weakness.
• Layoffs remain low: New jobless claims fell by 5,000; continuing claims at 1.95 million ([03:51]).

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Minneapolis Shooting Investigation & Family Statement: [00:02]–[01:13]
• CDC Leadership Change: [01:13]–[01:33]
• Tyree Nichols Case/New Trial: [01:33]–[02:00]
• California Crime Suppression Teams: [02:29]–[03:17]
• Miami Bribery Case: [03:17]–[03:51]
• Economic News: [03:51]–[04:24]

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Overall Tone and Takeaways

The episode delivers a somber but factual tone, especially regarding the Minneapolis church shooting, balancing the gravity of the tragedy with concise updates on national news, public policy, crime prevention, and economic trends. Authorities and affected families speak with a blend of heartbreak and resolve, while government and economic updates are presented with calm authority.

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Transcript

[Lisa Lucera]

Searching for a motive. I'm Lisa Lucera, Fox News, Minneapolis. Police say the suspect in yesterday's shooting at a Catholic church was filled with hatred and had become obsessed with the thought of killing children. Two children were killed, 18 others hurt before the suspect committed suicide.

[Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O. Harris]

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O. Harris says investigators have been pouring over the crime scene.

[Fox News Reporter/Anchor]

Three shotgun shells were recovered along with approximately 116 rifle rounds.

[Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O. Harris]

A live round from a handgun that apparently didn't work was also found. O' Hara said that the shooter left behind writings that showed notoriety was one of the motives for Wednesday's killings, asking.

[Fox News Reporter/Anchor]

Members of the media to stop saying the shooter's name. That was the whole purpose of why he did this heinous act.

[Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O. Harris]

The chief also said the shooter had a deranged fascination with other mass shootings.

[Lisa Lucera]

Fox's Jill Nado Jesse Merkel lost his 8 year old son Fletcher in the shooting.

[Fox News Reporter/Anchor]

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.

[Lisa Lucera]

And he went on to say he hopes that in time of his family can find healing and he prays that the other victim's family can find some semblance of the same. Jim o', Neill, a top deputy to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Will serve as acting head of the CDC. Earlier today, Kennedy told reporters the CDC.

[Fox News Reporter/Anchor]

Is an agency that is very troubled.

[Lisa Lucera]

O' Neill replaces Susan Monarz, who was forced out yesterday after disagreement on vaccine policy. A judge has ordered a new trial for three former Memphis police officers convicted on federal charges in the fatal beating of Tyree Nichols in 2023 after the lawyers for Tadarius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith argued the trial judge was biased against them. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Lisa Lucera]

California's governor is expanding efforts to reduce crime.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

Governor Gavin Newsom deploying new California Highway Patrol Crime suppression teams to work with local law enforcement in cities and regions across the state, including San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area.

[Fox News Reporter/Anchor]

These operations will be targeted, they'll be.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

Data driven, adding they'll be focused on the basis of intelligence gathering and these.

[Fox News Reporter/Anchor]

Will be unannounced efforts. Teams minimum teams of 15. They'll include K9 teams. They'll include lieutenant sergeants and 10 plus officers.

[Governor Gavin Newsom]

Explaining this is after positive results in Bakersfield, San Bernardino and Oakland, which has led to over 9,000 arrests, the recovery of nearly 6,000 stolen vehicles and the seizure of more than 400 firearms. Kristen Goodwin, Fox News the governor also.

[Lisa Lucera]

Telling reporters California's murder rate is lower than Republican led states. Prosecutors have decided to drop criminal charges against prominent Miami defense attorney David Macy, who's accused of orchestrating a bribery conspiracy involving two former Drug Enforcement Agency supervisors who leaked confidential information. Charges against Macy will be dismissed in a year as long as he doesn't break any laws. Prosecutors offered no explanation, but the judge says it was in part due to what she called his experienced legal team. The economy improved more than first reported in the spring.

[Economic Analyst]

Second quarter economic growth has been revised higher. The gross domestic product for the spring quarter rose 3.3%. Corporate profit, profits and consumer spending both rose in the period. The GDP contracted in the first quarter, though that decline is attributed to a surge in imports, which skewed the reading. Also, there's another sign. Layoffs are subdued. New claims for unemployment Benefits declined by 5,000 last week to 229,000. Continuing claims those remaining on benefits declined to 1.95 million in the week ending August 16th.

[Lisa Lucera]

Fox's Ginny Costola. I'm Lisa Lucera. This is FOX News.

[Fox News Reporter/Anchor]

It's Will Kane Country Watch it live at noon Eastern morning Monday through [e-mail] or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.