Minneapolis: U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance traveled to Minneapolis on Wednesday to console families and victims affected by last week’s tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church, where two children were killed and more than 20 people injured.
The Vances began their visit at the church sanctuary, the site of the deadly attack that has shaken both the local parish and the wider community. Standing before a growing memorial of flowers and candles, the couple placed bouquets of their own and paused in silence.
In a private gathering, Vice President Vance met with the parents of the two young victims Mike and Jackie Moyski, who lost their daughter Harper, and Jesse and Mollie Merkel, who lost their son Fletcher. They were joined by Father Denis Zehren, pastor of Annunciation Catholic Church, and Matt DeBoer, principal of the parish school.
“These families are living through the unimaginable,” Vance’s spokesperson said. “The Vice President wanted to look them in the eye, hear their pain, and honor their children.”
The Vances also visited Children’s Minnesota Hospital, where several survivors remain in recovery. Among them was Lydia Kaiser, who received words of encouragement from the Second Couple. Vance later placed a phone call to Weston Halsne, another victim who had undergone surgery and was not strong enough for visitors at the time.
Speaking to reporters before leaving Minneapolis, Vance reflected on the emotional weight of the day. “We should talk more about these kids. We should talk less about the shooter,” he said. “I have never had a day that will stay with me like this day did.”
When asked about Governor Tim Walz’s call for a special legislative session to consider stricter gun laws, Vance struck a cautious tone. “I’m not going to tell Minnesota lawmakers or the governor exactly how they should respond to this tragedy,” he said. “But I think there’s a strong desire across the political spectrum to do something so that these shootings are less common.”
The Vice President added that while he was not an expert on Minnesota law, he hoped legislators would take the concerns of grieving parents seriously. “Democrat, Republican, or independent we all want these tragedies to happen less frequently. Hopefully, steps can be taken to make that a reality.”
As Minneapolis mourns, the Vice President’s visit underscored the nation’s struggle to balance grief with the urgent demand for action.