Here's the Scoop – NBC News

Episode: What we know about the Minneapolis shooter; Confrontation at the U.S. Open

Date: August 28, 2025
Host: Laura Jarrett (filling in)
Guests: Tom Winter (NBC Law Enforcement Correspondent), Mary Carillo (NBC Sports Tennis Analyst), Erica Edwards (NBC Health/Medical Reporter)

Episode Overview

This episode offers in-depth coverage of two major stories:

1. The aftermath of a tragic shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, with insights on the ongoing investigation, motive, and broader security implications for places of worship.
2. A controversial and racially charged on-court confrontation at the U.S. Open between tennis players Taylor Townsend and Elena Ostapenko in the context of the sport's legacy and ongoing challenges for Black athletes.

Additional headlines include updates on Ukraine, CDC leadership turmoil, developments at a Florida immigration detention center, and the surging popularity of Lego.

1. Minneapolis School Shooting: What We Know So Far

(00:24–08:28)

Incident Recap

• Victims & Shooter: Shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, Minneapolis. Suspect Robin Westman, 23, killed two, injured seventeen, and died by suicide.
• Shooter’s Identity: Conflicting gender identification noted by authorities and legal documents.
• Community Response: Thousands attended a city prayer service; city in mourning and search for answers continues.

Investigation Details and Motive

• Motive: Still unknown.
• Digital Footprint:
  • Westman uploaded numerous, disturbing online videos, including one scheduled to go live as the shooting occurred.
  • Materials referenced suicidal ideation, apologies to family, anti-Semitic statements, violent thoughts, and threats against public figures.
  • Law enforcement describes these as evidence of a “deeply disturbed” individual but not a precise motive.

Tom Winter (01:55):
“This is somebody who was deeply disturbed, deeply violent tendencies, and somebody who obviously, at the time that they wanted to do this, was hurting and believed that the only way to solve their own pain was to inflict it…on a bunch of kids that were just going to mass on their first week of school. It's all deeply disturbing.”

Security Protocols at the Church

• Guns were purchased legally by the 23-year-old shooter.
• Locked Doors:
  • Protocol meant church doors were locked after mass started; shooter fired from outside.
  • School and church’s security may have prevented greater tragedy.

Kristen Welker (03:45):
“...the church had in place...after the mass had begun, the doors to the church were locked. So this coward had to fire from outside of the church, through the church windows and into the church.”
“...him not being able to get into the church likely saves countless lives.”

Future Security for Places of Worship

• Broader Security Conversations:
  • “Hardening” venues (bulletproof glass, curtains) is being discussed but would be costly and logistically difficult for thousands of sites.
  • “There’s not enough police officers to be everywhere at once.”

Tom Winter (04:29):
“So the hardening of targets, when we start to really expand the aperture...that dollar figure really becomes very, very difficult to digest and comprehend and fund.”

Minneapolis Context

• Community Trauma:
  • Minneapolis has experienced multiple violent incidents this summer, including political violence against lawmakers and a mass shooting just 24 hours prior.
  • The city is still marked in public memory by the 2020 murder of George Floyd.

Tom Winter (07:06):
“The idea of political violence being seen...as a way to solve their problems...is deeply concerning in law enforcement.”

Outlook

• The city faces ongoing trauma and the need to break violence cycles.

2. U.S. Open Confrontation: Race, Respect, and Tennis Culture

(09:57–17:32)

The Incident

• Match Outcome: American Taylor Townsend (world’s #1 doubles) beat Latvia’s Elena Ostapenko in straight sets.
• Altercation: Ostapenko allegedly told Townsend she had “no class and no education” immediately after the match; confrontation was caught on camera.

Townsend's Response

Taylor Townsend (10:37):
“I didn't take it in that way. But also, you know, that has been a stigma in our community of, you know, being non educated and all the things when it's the furthest thing from the truth and the most, the thing that I'm the most proud of is that I let my racket talk.”

Ostapenko’s Defense

• Denied any racial bias, said Townsend was disrespectful to the rules.
• Posted on Instagram:

  “I was never racist in my life. I respect all nations of people in the world.”

Context of Race & Representation in Tennis

• US Open honors Althea Gibson: First Black player to break color barrier, 75 years ago.
• Rising Black Tennis Stars: Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Coco Gauff (2024’s top-earning female athlete).

Analysis & Reactions

Mary Carillo, NBC Sports Tennis Analyst:

• Identified Ostapenko’s comments as racist and emblematic of long-standing issues.
• Drew parallels to past incidents and dog-whistle language in tennis.

Mary Carillo (11:52):
“Oh, it was outright racism. There's no question about it…I mean, I've heard it before. Taylor Townsend. Good God. She's heard it before…That she avoided the whole topic of racism just shows us how far we are away from true equality.”

Mary Carillo (13:17):
“Long ago, before she got older and smarter, Martina Hingis used to use this on the Williams Sisters…And at a press conference, Venus was asked…What would your father do about this? Venus was so smart, she just took a beat and said he'd probably invite her to lunch.”

• Handling On-Air Moments:
  • Carillo says she would have called out the dog whistle live on air, based on experience.

Mary Carillo (14:40):
“I wouldn't have had all the facts, my friend, but I know a dog whistle when I hear it...I would have spoken my mind.”

Ongoing Racism and Athlete Resilience

• Coco Gauff still faces racial abuse online from fans.
• Carillo advises players to avoid social media during tournaments for their mental health.

Mary Carillo (16:04):
“Don't look at your phone. Just don't go there. It's going to be awful. And it's soul deadening to see what some athletes have to go through, in particular black athletes.”

• On Taylor Townsend:
  • Lauded for her resilience and ability to rise above adversity, acting as a powerful role model.

Mary Carillo (16:34):
“I so admire how strong Taylor Townsend is…She'll be fine. She doesn't need my help.”

3. In Case You Missed It: Headlines

(17:35–22:13)

Ukraine Under Attack

• Major Russian Barrage: Over 600 drones and missiles struck more than 20 locations, including Kyiv; at least 15 dead and dozens injured.
• Diplomatic Sites Damaged: EU and British Council buildings hit.
• Peace Talks: President Trump’s talks with Russia have stalled.

Public Health Leadership Turmoil

• CDC Upheaval: Director Susan Minares fired after refusing to step down.
• Controversy: Cited for resisting “unscientific, reckless directives”; followed by an exodus of senior CDC staffers.

Erica Edwards (19:13):
“I have never seen the kind of chaos at the agency that we're seeing now…to see that agency in such disarray is really something that's impactful to all of us, to all Americans.”

Florida Immigration Facility

• Alligator Alcatraz Empties: Controversial Everglades detention center to be emptied following a federal judge’s order to shut down.
• State Response: Florida appealing; detainees being relocated.

Lego’s Growing Popularity

• Sales Boom: 13% sales increase with teens and adults leading the trend.
• Warning: Host humorously cautions about the pain of stepping on Lego, a universally shared experience.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Mental Health & Motive in Mass Shootings:
  “We may never fully understand the motive...but as human beings, we have to try to get our heads around it.” (Laura Jarrett, 01:38)

• On Security at Places of Worship:
  “Once you secure those, somebody's gonna look for something else.” (Tom Winter, 04:29)

• On Racial Dog Whistles in Tennis:
  “I know a dog whistle when I hear it. And this is when I drive many of my producers through the decades crazy. I would have spoken my mind.” (Mary Carillo, 14:40)

• On Social Media Hate:
  “It's soul deadening to see what some athletes have to go through, in particular black athletes.” (Mary Carillo, 16:04)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Minneapolis Shooting Discussion: 00:24–08:28
• US Open Confrontation and Analysis: 09:57–17:32
• Headlines (Ukraine, CDC, Immigration, Lego): 17:35–22:13

Tone and Style

The episode blends empathetic, serious journalism (in the coverage of the Minneapolis shooting and public health crisis) with open, candid, and pointed conversation—especially regarding racial issues in the sports segment. Commentary from guests is direct, informed by personal experience, and occasionally wry or humorous (notably in discussions of Lego and tennis culture).

For anyone who missed the episode, this summary highlights the facts, context, and emotional resonance of the day’s biggest stories—presented with clarity and authenticity straight from the NBC News reporting team.