Honoring Victims Of Catholic School Shooting, Trump Orders Flags To Fly At Half-Staff
on Aug 28, 2025
2 Children Died, And 17 Other Individuals Were Injured In Minneapolis Shooting
Following the “senseless acts of violence” on Wednesday, August 27, at Annunciation Catholic School and Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, flags are flying at half-staff to honor the victims of the shooting which saw an eight-year-old and 10-year-old killed, and 17 others injured.
Presently, the FBI is investigating the shooting as “an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics.”
The shooter, who was identified as a 23-year-old male, took his own life following his attack through the stain glass windows of Annunciation Church during morning Mass for students.
“This horrific tragedy brought devastation to a place that should be a safe space for children to learn, grow, and pray, shaking families, educators, and the broader community,” reads a proclamation, signed by MN Gov. Time Walz, which orders all flags to fly at half-staff indefinitely in the state.
See the full proclamation, here:
Minnesota’s flags are flying at half-staff in honor of the lives lost to gun violence at Annunciation Catholic School today. pic.twitter.com/ec4ShnYlpd
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) August 27, 2025
Related: 2 Dead, 17 Injured In Shooting At Catholic School And Church In Minneapolis
Trump’s Proclamation
Nationally, flags are flying at half-staff as of August 27, with President Donald Trump ordering the flags to remain at half-staff until the end of August 31.
His proclamation states:
“As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on August 27 … I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, August 31, 2025.”
This order also extends to all U.S. “embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”
Prior to issuing this proclamation, Trump had posted on Truth Social, “Please join me in praying for everyone involved!”
Here is his full post:
Similarly, Vice President JD Vance, who is a Catholic, wrote the following on X, formerly Twitter:
We’re at the WH monitoring the situation in Minneapolis. Join all of us in praying for the victims!
— JD Vance (@JDVance) August 27, 2025
Vance’s post did attract some negative reactions, with former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki writing, “Prayer is not freaking enough. Prayers does not end school shootings. prayers do not make parents feel safe sending their kids to school. Prayer does not bring these kids back. Enough with the thoughts and prayers.”
To this, Vance replied, defending the notion of prayer:
We pray because our hearts are broken. We pray because we know God listens. We pray because we know that God works in mysterious ways, and can inspire us to further action.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) August 28, 2025
Why do you feel the need to attack other people for praying when kids were just killed praying? https://t.co/KfTJ71Hcjf
Candlelight Vigil Held For Victims And Their Families
In the evening of August 27, a candlelight vigil was held in honor of the victims of the shooting that day.
This vigil was arranged by Protect Minnesota and Moms Demand Action.
Watch local news coverage of the vigil, here:
