Consistent with a directive of the President, Governor Janet T. Mills (D) has ordered that the US and the State of Maine flags be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Sunday, August 31, 2025.

“On behalf of Maine people, I want to express our deepest sorrow for the victims of the horrific shooting in Minneapolis today.  Our hearts are broken for the children and their families.  Maine knows all too well the immeasurable pain of your loss and we extend our love and support to you on this dark day and for the many difficult days to come.”

At 3:45 this afternoon, Minneapolis officials and Governor Tim Walz held a press conference regarding the killing of two children and the seventeen who were injured at Annunciation Church this morning.  The two deceased children were 8 and 10 years old.  All 17 of the victims are expected to survive, although the injuries are varied.  The suspect died by suicide; Robin Westman, 23.   He left a manifesto with “disturbing writings.” It was the first week back at school and students were attending a mass at the church specifically for them.  Fourteen of the seventeen injured were between the ages of 6 – 15 years old.  Three adults in their 80s attending Mass at the Catholic Church were also injured.

Governor Tim Walz (D) was the initial speaker. at the press conference this afternoon. He said that students went to school today with the promise of learning and instead were met with “evil, horror and death.There should not be words cause there are no words for this tragedy.  It should not have happened,” he said.  Several other speakers during the half hour news conference called for prayers as well as “action.”  The Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said:  Thoughts and prayers are appreciated.    We need more than that.  We need “action.”.

This evening on cable news Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) said that President Trump is  “pro-gun violence.”