Texas politicians and leaders have responded to a fatal shooting that left two children dead and 17 people injured at a Minneapolis Catholic school.
TEXAS, USA — In the wake of a school shooting that left two children dead and 17 people injured in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Texas leaders have since reacted to the violence.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott posted to social media on Wednesday, stating in part, “Today’s attack at a Catholic school in Minnesota is horrific and heartbreaking. Cecilia and I are lifting up in prayer the families who lost innocent children, those injured, and the entire community as they face this tragedy.”
Abbott also ordered the state to lower flags until Aug. 31 in compliance with an order from President Donald Trump.
In the state’s capitol, the Diocese of Austin’s administrator Very Reverend James A. Misko shared a statement which read, in part, “…I ask that each of us across the Diocese of Austin meet our brothers and sisters of Annunciation School in our thoughts and prayers…”
During a daily mass ceremony at the Diocese’ Pastoral Center, Misko offered an intention for Annunciation Catholic School, which was the site of the deadly shooting.
“And so in a certain way, our hearts are certainly broken for these families at this school,” he said during Wednesday’s mass.
Texas political leaders also addressed the shooting, which is now being investigated by the FBI as an act of domestic terrorism.
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Austin) posted to X on Wednesday stating he was “sending love” to those in Minneapolis impacted by the shooting.
“People deserve to feel safe in their communities,” he posted in part. “A future without gun violence isn’t just possible — it’s necessary.”
Austin-area U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett also shared a statement on X: “The school year just started, and children in Minneapolis are already faced with a horrific school shooting that will leave behind endless trauma. Going to class shouldn’t be a death sentence,” he wrote in part.
Houston-based Democratic U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia reacted to the shooting with a post that stated, in part, “Children deserve to be safe in their classrooms and in their places of faith. We cannot accept this as normal.”
Republican Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows echoed a similar sentiment on X: “Heartbroken by the horrific shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. Texans are sending prayers for the victims, their families, and the entire community as they face this awful tragedy.”
On a national level, President Trump issued a proclamation ordering all flags to be lowered to half-staff on public property, at military posts, etc. He also posted online asking people to pray for those involved in the shooting.