Post Reports – “These kids were literally praying: The Minneapolis school shooting”
Published: August 27, 2025
Host: Elahe Izadi (The Washington Post)
Featured Reporter: Kim Bell
Notable Guests: Brooks Turner (parent), Jacob Frey (Minneapolis Mayor), Hannah Knowles (reporter)

Episode Overview

This episode of Post Reports centers on the deadly school shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, which took place during the first week of the school year. With clear-eyed reporting and firsthand accounts, the episode covers the shooting’s timeline, the difficult aftermath faced by parents and the community, and the broader context of American gun violence—especially in schools and places of worship. The discussion explores the official response, the emerging debate around gun policy, and the challenge of preventing tragedies despite existing laws.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Day of the Shooting

(00:16–04:40)

• Parent Experience:

  • Brooks Turner, father of pre-K student Ayla, recounts dropping his daughter off for the first week of school. Soon after, he receives word that a shooting occurred at the school church during Mass.
  • Ayla was in the basement, heard the violence above, and was ultimately carried to safety by a police officer.
    • “She told me that they heard like really loud banging and it was like somebody was trying to break down the ceiling above them. She said that she was scared and a police officer picked her up and carried her.” – Brooks Turner (01:48)

• Shooting Details:

  • The shooter opened fire through a church window at students attending Mass, killing two children (ages 8 and 10) and injuring 17, including 14 children.
  • The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.

2. Immediate Response and Community Impact

(02:35–04:13)

• Official Outrage:

  • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expresses the depth of the city’s pain and anger.
    • “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 able to go to school or church in peace without the fear or risk of violence.” – Mayor Jacob Frey (02:55–03:11)

• Victims:

  • Details remain private regarding the victims’ identities, but families have been notified; several children required surgery.

3. Law Enforcement & Investigation

(04:13–09:31)

• Shooter’s Profile:

  • Suspect identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman. Westman posted a manifesto online, which was taken down by the FBI.
  • The shooting is being formally investigated as domestic terrorism and a hate crime.
  • Westman’s identity—recently changed name and transgender status—becomes politicized by some officials, though others, including Mayor Frey, caution against villainizing the trans community.

• Weapons and Response:

  • Westman possessed and fired a rifle, shotgun, and pistol; dozens of rounds were fired.
    • “The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible.” – Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara (05:05)

• No Additional Suspects:

  • Authorities confirm belief that Westman acted alone.

4. Trauma & Reunification

(09:31–11:55)

• Parents’ Ordeal:

  • Emotional scenes of parents rushing to reunite, with children in shock and distress.
    • “You have photos... parents running out of cars, calling for their kids, asking where their children are. ...Kids in photos are sobbing. They’re burying their face in their parents’ arms.” – Kim Bell (09:47)

• Community Response:

  • Local clergy and trauma teams arrive to provide comfort—distributing crayons to help children cope, praying with families.
    • “I talked to a chaplain who came... passing out crayons and markers for kids to draw with because he says that helps with trauma.” – Hannah Knowles (10:48)

5. Scope and Aftermath of School Shootings in the US

(15:52–17:43)

• History & Data:
  • Since Columbine in 1999, there have been 434 school shootings in the US.
    • “It really boggles the mind. But there have been 434 school shootings since the Columbine shooting in 1999.” – Kim Bell (16:13)
• Broader Impact:
  • Trauma extends beyond the injured or killed—to first responders, families, survivors, and the entire community.
    • “It is not just those whose loved ones died or who were injured that are affected. …the survivors who are left to pick up the pieces after this community has been affected this way.” – Kim Bell (12:25)

6. Policy, Debate, and Legislative Response

(17:43–22:52)

• Minnesota’s Gun Laws:

  • Minnesota is among the states with stronger gun controls, including universal background checks and red flag laws.
    • “Minnesota is actually one of the states that has stronger gun laws... They also passed what’s called a red flag law...” – Kim Bell (16:49)

• National Gun Debate:

  • Persistent tension between advocates of stricter gun control (citing safety, assault weapons bans) and those prioritizing gun rights (emphasizing individual responsibility and deterrent gun ownership).
  • Major legislation is difficult to pass; despite support for some reforms, Congress remains gridlocked.

• Federal Action:

  • Biden administration: Focus on gun violence prevention, background checks, and bans for those with histories of domestic violence.
  • Trump administration: Rolled back mental health grants connected to gun violence prevention, supported measures expanding gun ownership and access.

• Stalemate & Solutions:

  • Despite evidence, mass shootings rarely bring swift legislative change; the debate remains heavily polarized.
    • “...even after [Sandy Hook, Uvalde], there was a lot of resistance to getting more gun control... these two sides are going to continue to fight over whether the solution is taking guns out of the equation or adding them into it.” – Kim Bell (21:20)

Notable Quotes / Memorable Moments

| Quote | Speaker | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|-----------| | “I was told that all the preschool kids were safe, I was terrified. ... My daughter's sitting here with me.” | Brooks Turner | 01:21 | | “These kids were literally praying… They should be able to go to school or church in peace without the fear…” | Mayor Jacob Frey | 02:55 | | “The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible.” | Chief Brian O’Hara | 05:05 | | “It really boggles the mind. But there have been 434 school shootings since the Columbine shooting in 1999…” | Kim Bell | 16:13 | | “This is every parent’s worst nightmare.” | Kim Bell | 09:47 | | “Some states are thinking that more guns are the solution… Others think the only way to stop the flow of guns is to stop making it so accessible in the United States.” | Kim Bell | 21:20 |

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:16–04:13 — Firsthand account from Brooks Turner and introduction to the day’s events.
• 02:35–03:25 — Mayor Jacob Frey’s emotional statements.
• 04:13–09:31 — Details of the shooting, weaponry, and law enforcement response (Kim Bell).
• 09:31–11:23 — Emotional impact on parents and the reunification process.
• 15:52–17:43 — Scope of school shootings in America and context for Minnesota.
• 17:43–22:52 — Gun laws, policy debates, and federal action.

Tone & Language

The tone throughout is somber, compassionate, and unflinchingly factual—with frequent reminders of the trauma and heartbreak caused by such violence. The reporting avoids sensationalism, focusing on the human consequences, official statements, and the realities of America’s persistent gun violence problem.

For listeners unfamiliar with the episode, this summary captures both the factual developments and the emotional landscape in Minneapolis following the tragedy, as well as the ongoing national debate over gun violence and school safety.