TLT Explains

Shooting at Minneapolis Catholic Church Leaves Two Children Dead

By The Liberty Tribune Staff

Published: 9/17/2025 · Updated: 9/17/2025 · 5 min read

A the of the Annunciation in on August 27, 2025, resulted in the deaths.

What's happening

Shooting at Minneapolis Catholic Church Leaves Two Children Dead — Gun control advocates, including some Democratic leaders, have claimed that firearms are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. However, this assertion is disputed by data that shows motor vehicle deaths consistently outnumber firearm deaths among minors. Explainer Youngkin Orders Criminal Investigation Into Alleged Abortion Funding in Virginia Schools Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, recently called for new gun control laws, stating that guns are "the number one killer of kids in our country." Similarly, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has echoed this sentiment. In June, the Ad Council launched a $10 million campaign highlighting gun injuries as the leading cause of death for children and teens. Despite these claims, data indicates that vehicle- have historically surpassed firearm deaths among those under 18. In 2023, the total number of deaths from motor vehicle accidents was nearly equal to that from firearms, with 2,580 vehicle deaths compared to 2,581 firearm deaths. However, this figure includes justifiable homicides, which can skew the perception of firearm-related fatalities. When excluding justifiable homicides and focusing on murder statistics, the number of firearm-related deaths drops significantly. According to FBI data, the number of firearm homicides involving minors was 2,166 in 2023. Notably, about 72 percent of these homicides involved individuals aged 15 to 17, often linked to gang activity. A public high school in Orange County, Florida, faced backlash after airing a weekly "Witchy Wednesday" video series that included instructions on casting spells and performing rituals.

What's at stake

Following intervention from the legal group Liberty Counsel, which requested equal time for Christian instruction, the school canceled the series. This incident raises broader questions about the role of spirituality in public education and the implications of introducing practices rooted in witchcraft to students. Explainer Supreme Court Questions Legality of Trump's Emergency Tariffs The First Amendment's establishment clause prohibits government endorsement of religion, yet some public schools have been accused of allowing pagan spirituality while restricting Christian expressions. Taylor, a federal ruling from 2025, emphasized that compel students to participate in religious exercises that conflict with their beliefs. Critics argue that if Christian prayer is deemed an endorsement, then promoting witchcraft should also raise constitutional concerns. Witchcraft, often referred to as Wicca, is recognized as a legitimate religion in the United States. Army Chaplain’s Handbook includes Wicca among faith traditions, and court cases like Dettmer v. The FBI is investigating a shooting incident at a Dallas ICE facility that resulted in one death and two serious injuries. The suspect, identified as Joshua Jahn, 29, reportedly committed suicide following the attack.

Explainer Shooting at ICE Facility Follows Controversial NBC Report Authorities revealed that Jahn had gathered intelligence online prior to the ambush, including reviewing a document listing locations of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Dallas. He also searched for applications that track the presence of ICE agents, according to Kash Patel. Marcos Charles, the executive associate director for enforcement and removal operations at ICE, confirmed that Jahn used these tracking apps to facilitate his attack. In a handwritten note left by Jahn, he expressed a desire to instill fear in , stating, "Hopefully this will give ICE agents real terror, to think, 'is there a sniper with [armor piercing] rounds on that roof?" ( ) This chilling message highlights the potential dangers posed by the misuse of technology. Despite the serious implications of this incident, both Apple and Google have declined to suspend the tracking apps used by Jahn. A recent sniper attack at a Dallas, Texas ICE field office has reignited discussions surrounding inflammatory rhetoric used by some Democratic lawmakers. Critics argue that comparisons of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to the Gestapo, the Nazi secret police, contribute to a hostile environment for law enforcement. Explainer Report Reveals $200 Million in Federal Health Care Spending For Illegal Immigrants Minority Leader , D-N.Y., recently stated, "Every single ICE agent who’s engaged in this aggressive overreach, no matter what it takes, no matter how long it takes, will, of course, be identified. This is not the 1930s." ( ) Similarly, Rep. "The suspect's use of these applications underscores a troubling trend where tools designed for one purpose are repurposed for violence," ( ) Charles stated. The FBI's investigation is ongoing, with agents working around the clock to seize devices and analyze data related to the shooting. Patel noted that the agency is committed to providing timely updates as more information becomes available. What to watch next is whether new filings, agency actions, votes, or court decisions change the timeline—and how officials respond in the weeks ahead.

Why it matters

The coverage highlights: Gun Control Claims About Child Deaths Challenged. The coverage highlights: Public Schools Can't Prohibit Prayer And Promote Witchcraft. The coverage highlights: FBI Investigates Dallas Shooting; Apps Used by Suspect Remain Available. The coverage highlights: Dems Won't Apologize For Comparing ICE To Gestapo. The coverage highlights: Shooting at ICE Facility Follows Controversial NBC Report. The coverage highlights: Investigation Underway in Charlie Kirk Shooting; FBI Seeks Public Assistance.

Key facts & context

2025-11-12: Gun Control Claims About Child Deaths Challenged. 2025-10-22: Public Schools Can't Prohibit Prayer And Promote Witchcraft. 2025-09-25: FBI Investigates Dallas Shooting; Apps Used by Suspect Remain Available. 2025-09-25: Dems Won't Apologize For Comparing ICE To Gestapo. 2025-09-24: Shooting at ICE Facility Follows Controversial NBC Report. 2025-09-11: Investigation Underway in Charlie Kirk Shooting; FBI Seeks Public Assistance. 2025-09-04: The Role of Prayer in Response to Recent Tragedy. 2025-09-03: Link Between Family Structure and School Shootings Examined. 2025-09-02: Shooting at Minneapolis Catholic Church Leaves Two Children Dead. 2025-09-02: Community Calls for Prayer Following School Shooting in Minneapolis.

Timeline & key developments

Primary sources

Www.justice — justice.gov