Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey faced fierce backlash Wednesday after attacking people of faith during a press conference for offering prayers.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey faced fierce backlash Wednesday after attacking people of faith for offering prayers during a press conference on a tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, with critics blasting his remarks as “tone-deaf” and “callous” in the wake of violence that specifically targeted children at worship.
The shooting unfolded Wednesday morning as children attended Mass, marking their first week back at the Catholic school in South Minneapolis. FBI Director Kash Patel identified the gunman as 23-year-old Robin Westman — born Robert Westman, who legally changed his name in 2020 after identifying “as a female.” Patel confirmed the FBI is investigating the massacre as “an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.”
The attacker fired through church windows at children seated in pews, killing two — ages eight and ten — and injuring 14 other children and three adults before turning the gun on himself. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara called the assault “evil” and “a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping.”
Frey’s comments drew swift condemnation across social media. Media analyst Scott Jennings wrote on X: “Tragedy struck a Minneapolis Catholic school today & the very first thing Mayor @Jacob_Frey did was attack people of faith for calling for prayer. I couldn’t believe it when I heard it.
