Oh my gosh, you guys — Totally tragic: On August 27, 2025, a shooter opened fire during Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, shooting through stained-glass windows. Two kids — ages 8 and 10 — were killed, and 17 others were wounded (14 children and three elderly parishioners). The perpetrator, identified as Robin Westman, later died by suicide at the scene.
What’s even worse? This isn’t an isolated incident. So far in 2025, the U.S. has seen a whopping 268 mass shootings, with 262 people killed and 1,161 wounded, as of July 31. Among those violent episodes, 4 occurred at schools or universities, and 2 at places of worship.
Like, Where Are the Real Solutions? Politicians once again send “thoughts and prayers” as their go-to response. But let’s be real: the problem is still not fixed. We’ve been here before, and despite endless tragedies, meaningful federal action hasn’t stuck.
Meanwhile, other countries? They actually responded with concrete laws. Take Australia: after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre (35 dead), they passed sweeping reforms — banned semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, conducted a massive buyback removing over 650,000 guns.
Then there’s the UK. After the Dunblane school massacre in 1996 (16 pupils, one teacher killed), the country passed two new Firearms Acts, banned most private handgun ownership, and initiated a buyback program.
Like, why can’t the U.S. do the same? Kids and Parents Are So Not Okay. This isn’t just numbers on a page — it’s real trauma. Kids and teens are scared of going to school. They’re anxious while walking into classrooms or Mass. Parents? They’re living in constant fear, traumatized by the possibility that a typical school day could end in horror.
In Minneapolis, one eighth grader said classmates first thought gunshots were fireworks or confetti — until reality crashed in. Imagine that level of terrifying confusion playing out inside a church during Mass.
And honestly, the trauma isn’t just showing up in classrooms — it’s like, all over social media too. On TikTok, Instagram, and X, parents are literally swapping survival tips, as if school is some kind of war zone. Videos circulate where moms recommend sending kids with bulletproof backpacks or vest inserts, while others teach them how to hide in closets, stay quiet during drills, or even text coded messages to parents if shots ring out. These posts get millions of views, which is like, heart-breaking proof that families feel they have to DIY safety because lawmakers haven’t stepped in.
Summary — Gallingly Clear:
- Annunciation Catholic School shooting, August 27, 2025: 2 children killed, 17 injured; killer then died by suicide.
- Mass shootings in the U.S. in 2025: 268 total, causing 262 deaths and 1,161 injuries.
- Politicians’ response remains consistent with thoughts and prayers — still no resolution.
- Australia enacted sweeping reforms after Port Arthur in 1996; UK banned handguns after Dunblane — No mass shooting since then. But the U.S. hasn’t matched that resolve.
- Kids and parents are traumatized, living in fear of everyday life — because the threat is still too real.
Like, enough is enough. These massacres aren’t just stories — they shatter lives, communities, and the idea of safety at school. And while the rest of the world managed to pivot to actual reform, here in the U.S. we’re still stuck in that same loop. It’s not enough to just “pray” anymore — real action needs to happen now, before more lives are lost.
XOXO,
Valley Girl News
Where “thoughts and prayers” won’t save you, but facts might.
