Vice President JD Vance shared an emotional plea from the parents of the victims of the Minneapolis school shooting, asking Americans to pray for the one student still fighting for her life.
On Wednesday, Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance visited Annunciation Catholic Church in Minnesota, where a transgender shooter opened fire on children and adults attending mass on school grounds.
After meeting with grieving parents, Vance spoke to reporters.
“So, I’d ask a couple of things straight from the parents…and families to my fellow Americans,” Vance said. “First of all, while two kids lost their lives, there’s still one kid that’s in very serious condition. And every single family…said, ‘Please say a prayer.’”
He continued, “So to my fellow Americans, if you are the praying type, say a prayer for this innocent girl who’s actually in surgery right now, that the swelling will go down and she will be okay. Because she’s still in a fight for her life.”
“And every single family to a person is desperate that the death toll, which currently stands at two, stays at two,” Vance added. “And I think if you are the praying type you ought to say a prayer for this innocent young girl.”
Vance also reflected on the grief of the parents. “One of the ways that I’m going to try to honor these parents and the children they lost is by being a better dad,” he said. “And hugging my kids tight tonight, making sure they know that their dad loves them — because there are two families that are not going to get that opportunity ever again.”
Later on X, Vance described it as an honor “to meet with a number of grieving families and hear about their beautiful children–in particular Harper (10) and Fletcher (8), who died in the Annunciation school shooting. I also met another beautiful girl who is recovering well, thank God.”
He then shared requests from the families:
“First, to pray for Sophia, who continues to fight for her life every day. Pray for her health, pray for her swelling to be controlled, and pray for strength for her parents, doctors, and nurses.
“Second, don’t give the shooter the attention, but focus on the kids who were taken from us. I learned that Harper had a smile that could light up the room, that she loved visiting the national parks with her parents, and that she looked beautiful in her first communion gown. I learned that Fletcher was rambunctious and energetic, that he loved football and basketball, and that he had an amazing head of hair.
“Yes, they were taken from their families far too soon. But in their short lives, they made a big mark on the many people who loved them. Let’s give them the attention they deserve.”
The shooting occurred on August 27, when Robert Westman opened fire during mass, killing two children and injuring 17 others, 14 of them children.
