The aftermath of a tragic shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis has sparked a wave of political finger-pointing, with a former Secret Service agent accusing state leaders of fostering the environment that led to the violence. The remarks, made during a Fox News segment, come as investigators continue to search for answers about the gunman’s motive and the role of his family in the events leading up to the attack.
The shooting unfolded on Wednesday during a mass at Annunciation Catholic Church. Authorities confirmed that two children were killed and at least 18 others were wounded, including 15 children. Witnesses described chaos as parishioners rushed for safety, while first responders worked to stabilize the injured and secure the scene. The gunman, later identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, ultimately took his own life inside the church.
While investigators focused on understanding what led to the violence, Rich Staropoli, a former Secret Service agent and frequent Fox News guest, used his appearance on The Ingraham Angle to lay blame squarely on Democratic officials in Minnesota. He named Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz, whom he derisively referred to as “Tampon Tim,” accusing them of supporting ideologies he claimed encouraged instability.
“This guy has gone so far out of his way to provide top cover and support for a group of people who are the most mentally unbalanced group of people in the entire world,” Staropoli alleged, suggesting that Democratic leaders had created conditions that influenced the shooter’s actions. He went on to claim that political rhetoric around transgender rights and fears of cultural erasure contributed to Westman’s decision to attack the church.
“These are not isolated acts,” Staropoli insisted. “This kid didn’t just wake up this morning and do this. This is something that has been festering and growing for months now.” He argued that federal and state leaders should be held accountable for providing “cover” to activists, saying they bear responsibility in much the same way that critics once tried to hold former President Donald Trump accountable for the events of January 6.
The comments immediately drew strong reactions online. Supporters of Staropoli’s framing echoed his calls for political accountability, while critics condemned the remarks as irresponsible, inflammatory, and deeply unfair to communities already reeling from tragedy.
Meanwhile, law enforcement continues to piece together a clearer picture of the shooter’s background. Court documents revealed that in 2019, Westman’s mother applied for her son to legally change his name, writing that the “minor identifies as female and wants her name to reflect the identification.” Authorities have not stated whether gender identity played any role in the attack.
What has drawn particular attention is the behavior of Westman’s mother, Mary Grace Westman. Police officials confirmed that she has not cooperated with investigators to this point. Instead, she retained high-profile criminal defense attorney Ryan Garry, who told Fox News that his client is “completely distraught about the situation and has no culpability but is seeking an attorney to deal with calls like this.”
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that dozens of interviews have been conducted with the shooter’s friends, coworkers, and relatives. However, he admitted that outreach to the mother has not been successful. “I know we have not been successful in talking to the shooter’s mother yet at this time,” O’Hara said at a press briefing. “But there continue to be efforts made to get that done.”
Investigators have confirmed that detectives have interviewed the father, though they have not clarified whether the shooter lived with either parent in the period leading up to the attack. Property records link Westman to three different addresses, but it remains unclear which was his primary residence.
For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and recovering from the traumatic event. But with political figures like Staropoli assigning blame in sweeping terms, the tragedy has quickly become part of a larger national debate over ideology, accountability, and the intersection of politics and violence.
As the investigation continues, Minneapolis remains shaken. Parishioners and neighbors are gathering for vigils, lighting candles, and offering prayers for the young lives cut short. For a grieving community, the search for answers is urgent. But with voices across the political spectrum framing the incident in starkly different terms, those answers may be increasingly difficult to separate from the noise of partisan conflict.
