Minneapolis Church Shooting: Shooter Praises Texas Congressional Candidate
The apparent shooter who killed two children and injured 17 at a Minneapolis church Wednesday praised Texas congressional candidate and gun activist Brandon Herrera in a video posted before the shooting.
The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, opened fire on children sitting in the pews during a morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic School.
In a now-deleted video posted to YouTube, a person believed to be Westman filmed their collection of weapons and ammunition, some with such phrases as “kill Donald Trump” and “Where is your God?” written on them. A second video shows the alleged shooter pointing to two outside windows in what appears to be a drawing of the church, and then stabbing it with a long knife.
In one video, Westman says the message is sponsored by “Brandon Herrera for president.” The suspected shooter goes on to say they met Herrera at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show last year in Las Vegas.
The Connection Between Westman and Herrera
“He and I had a conversation, a brief conversation, but we agreed on a lot of things,” Westman said in the video. “Ya’ll should vote for Brandon Herrera for president.”
The videos are being reviewed by law enforcement, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said during a news conference.
On X, Herrera, who goes by the nickname “AK Guy” on social media, said he did not remember meeting Westman at the show but that he is open to answering questions from law enforcement.
“I’m still physically sickened and angry about this clearly hate motivated attack on innocent children, and disgusted that my name came out of this demon’s mouth,” Herrera said. “I meet thousands of people every year at SHOT Show in Las Vegas in meet-and-greets and such, but I don’t remember this individual at all, nor does anyone I was there with.”
Brandon Herrera’s Background
Herrera, who owns a firearm manufacturing business, announced earlier this year he will run against incumbent U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzalez for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, which stretches from San Antonio to El Paso. Last year, he narrowly lost his bid to unseat Gonzales.
Campaigning largely on firearm issues, Herrera has more than 4 million subscribers on YouTube, where he publishes videos about guns. In 2022, he posted a video featuring Nazi imagery and joked about the Holocaust while reviewing the MP-40 submachine gun, a firearm developed and used in Nazi Germany, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Herrera joked that the gun was the “original ghetto blaster” along with a short video montage set to the marching song “Erika,” which was also popularized by Nazis, the Chronicle reported. Herrera said the jokes and video montage were “edgy humor,” and that the gun is “an awesome, awesome piece of history.”
Reaction from Rep. Tony Gonzales
Throughout the last campaign, Herrera criticized Gonzales for supporting a gun safety bill that expanded background checks following the 2023 Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde, which is in his district. In 2023, the Republican Party of Texas censured Gonzales for breaking with the party on gun reform legislation, but also for voting to defend same-sex marriage and opposing a sweeping House GOP immigration proposal.
On social media Wednesday, Gonzales called the Minneapolis shooting “tragic and infuriating.”
“School security needs to be a top priority for lawmakers across the nation,” he wrote. “Too many lives have been lost. No more excuses.”
Conclusion
The Minneapolis church shooting has sparked a heated debate about gun control and school security. The connection between the shooter and Brandon Herrera has raised questions about the influence of gun activists on individuals who commit violent acts. As the investigation continues, it is essential to examine the role of social media and online platforms in promoting hate speech and violence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Brandon Herrera?
A: Brandon Herrera is a Texas congressional candidate and gun activist who owns a firearm manufacturing business.
Q: What did the shooter say about Brandon Herrera in the video?
A: The shooter said that they met Herrera at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas and agreed on many things, and encouraged viewers to vote for Herrera for president.
Q: How has Rep. Tony Gonzales responded to the shooting?
A: Rep. Gonzales called the shooting “tragic and infuriating” and emphasized the need for school security to be a top priority for lawmakers.
Q: What is the current status of the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement is reviewing the videos posted by the shooter to determine the motive and circumstances surrounding the attack.
