CNN’s Dana Bash and Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar admired Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday for telling Christians that prayer is not enough in the wake of a mass shooting at a Catholic school.
The gunman, who has been identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, killed two children ages eight and ten and injured 17 others after he shot bullets through the church’s windows. During a “CNN Central segment with Klobuchar, Bash stated that Frey telling Christians that no one needs their prayers “sent chills up [her] spine.”
“When you think about, as the mayor said, thoughts and prayers just aren’t enough here right now, because these kids were actually praying,” Klobuchar said.
“I do want to listen to that because that sent chills up my spine, I’m sure everybody’s spine when they heard the mayor say that,” Bash said, followed by her playing a clip of Frey’s remarks. “He’s expressing something that I know you feel and most people feel which is a combination of sadness but wrong rage. Forget about thoughts and prayers, these kids were literally praying when they were murdered through a church window.”
WATCH:
Following the tragedy, Frey said during a press conference that the kids were “literally praying” and did not need anyone’s “thoughts and prayers.”
“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,” Frey said. “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.”
Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki told Christians on X that she has had “enough” with their “prayers,” claiming they do nothing to stop mass shootings.
Westman, who also went by Robert, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the back of the church following the tragic shooting, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed at the press conference. He carried a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol and is believed to have used all three weapons.
The alleged gunman had no extensive criminal history and authorities have not identified any motive, O’Hara added.
O’Hara said that 14 of the 17 injured victims are children, and seven of them arrived at the hospital in critical condition.
Klobuchar then stated during the CNN segment that there are “too many guns” in the U.S. and called to pass laws to restrict citizens’ gun rights.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
