For years now, many have Americans have had an issue with politicians calling for “thoughts and prayers” after mass shootings. They have argued that “thoughts and prayers” alone will not fix the gun violence issue in the United States. After the recent shooting at a Catholic school in Minnesota, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey made it very clear that children affected by gun violence need more than just “thoughts and prayers.”
On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, a shooter fired through the windows of Annunciation Catholic Church, killing two young children and injuring 18 others, including 15 children between the ages of 6 and 15. During a press conference after the shooting, Frey said, “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church.”
“These are kids that should be learning with their friends,” he continued. “They should be playing on the playground. They should be able to go to school or church in peace without the fear or risk of violence, and their parents should have the same kind of assurance. These are the sort of basic assurances that every family should have every step of the day, regardless of where they are in our country.”
Reacting to a clip of the speech circulating on X, some people were offended by the mayor’s comments and accused him of “mocking prayers.” At the same time, many others agreed with the mayor because something needs to change. “America needs ACTIONS. It’s been proven that prayer alone doesn’t work,” one person wrote.
Frey: And don't just say, this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church. pic.twitter.com/pEy8dOgr1R
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 27, 2025
Another X user agreed, writing, “People are so desensitized to it. They just say ‘thoughts and prayers’ and wait till the next set of children get gunned down.” A third person added, “It’s ridiculous that we have to worry about our children being murdered in school while they are at church praying.”
Others argued that prayers are not a problem, but more needs to be done. One of them said, “We could use some Prayers and ACTION!!”
The children killed in the recent shooting have been identified as 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. In a statement published by CBS, Harper’s parents said, “While our immediate focus is on Harper and our family’s healing, we also believe it is important that her memory fuels action. No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain. We urge our leaders and communities to take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country. Change is possible, and it is necessary — so that Harper’s story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies.”
The Merkel family also shared a statement, which read in part, “Moving forward, we ask not for your sympathy, but your empathy as our family and the Annunciation community grieve and try to make sense of such a senseless act of violence. Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life. Give your kids an extra hug and kiss today.”
