Minneapolis Catholic Leaders Begged Tim Walz for Help Before Deadly School Shooting [WATCH]

Two years before the deadly mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Catholic leaders had appealed directly to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for help in improving security at nonpublic schools, but no additional funding was provided, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

On Wednesday, 23-year-old Robin Westman, who identified as transgender, opened fire at Annunciation Catholic Church and Grade School during morning Mass.

BREAKING: The Minneapolis shooting suspect has been identified as Robin Westman.

The alleged shooter released multiple videos on social media, which showed that he clearly hated Christians. They have since been taken down.

“Where is your God?” read one mag.

Evil monster. pic.twitter.com/oyiCkqNwkw

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 27, 2025

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Authorities confirmed that Westman shot and killed two children, ages 8 and 10, and injured more than a dozen others before taking his own life.

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Investigators later revealed that Westman had posted a manifesto on YouTube before the attack and had written “kill Donald Trump” on one of his firearms.

New details reported by The Daily Wire show that Catholic and independent school leaders had formally warned Governor Walz of the security risks years earlier.

In a letter dated April 14, 2023, Tim Benz, president of MINNDEPENDENT, and Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, urged Walz to act on “the urgent and critical need in Minnesota to make sure our schools are secure and safe” following what they described as “recent, and continuing attacks, on our schools in this country and in our state.”

BREAKING : Minnesota private schools URGENTLY requested funding from Governor Walz to enhance CLASSROOM SAFETY, but their pleas were DENIED.

A letter dated April 14, 2023, from Tim Benz, president of MINNDEPENDENT, and Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic… pic.twitter.com/bt16fLxzzg

— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) August 28, 2025

Adkins confirmed to The Daily Wire that despite the plea, “no additional security was ever funded.”

The request came as Catholic and independent schools sought resources to strengthen safety measures amid rising concerns over targeted violence.

The letter specifically referenced “school safety in nonpublic schools” and pressed state leaders for assistance in preventing attacks similar to the one that occurred this week.

Following the shooting, officials said at least 14 children and three parishioners were wounded in addition to the two children killed. All surviving victims are expected to recover.

While Catholic leaders emphasized the need for state support to bolster school security, the request was not acted upon. In the aftermath of the Minneapolis tragedy, questions are being raised about whether stronger protections could have mitigated the attack.

Westman, a former student in the area, had ties to Annunciation through his mother, who worked as a parish secretary until 2021. His writings, videos, and online activity are now part of the ongoing investigation by federal and local law enforcement.

The April 2023 letter to Governor Walz remains a key piece of evidence showing that Catholic and independent school leaders had voiced concern about vulnerabilities well before the Minneapolis shooting took place.

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