Rosie O'Donnell Sparks Backlash with False Claim About Minneapolis School Shooter

Actress Makes Inaccurate Statement Following Catholic School Shooting

Rosie O'Donnell has ignited controversy after making false claims about the suspect in the recent Minneapolis Catholic school shooting. In a video shared on Thursday, the actress described the attacker as “a white guy, Republican, MAGA person… white supremacist,” comments that were quickly proven inaccurate.

Authorities identified the shooter as a transgender individual who had legally changed his name from Robert to Robin at age 17. During the attack, the 22-year-old opened fire at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, killing two children and injuring 17 others, including 14 children and three adults. Officials confirmed the shooter left behind a manifesto and a video message, none of which indicated ties to Republican or pro-MAGA movements.

Details of the Tragic Minneapolis School Shooting

The incident occurred during a church service when the suspect fired through the stained glass windows of the Catholic parish attached to Annunciation School. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with teachers and parents rushing to shield children as gunfire erupted.

Among the injured were three staff members who suffered non-life-threatening wounds while ushering students into safe rooms. Police arrived within minutes and apprehended the suspect without further bloodshed, but the emotional toll within the community remains devastating.

Within the attacker’s writings, police discovered chilling statements, including the explicit phrase “F*** those kids.” Investigators believe the shooting had been planned carefully and targeted the school for religious reasons, citing anti-Catholic passages recovered in hand-written notes.

Rosie O'Donnell’s Controversial Remarks

Hours after news of the shooting broke, O'Donnell posted an emotional reaction video referencing the Columbine massacre of 1999, which left a deep mark on her generation. She linked the Minneapolis shooter to conservative political movements without evidence, calling him a “Republican MAGA person” and a “white supremacist.” O'Donnell also used the moment to denounce the National Rifle Association, labeling it a “terrorist organization” and arguing that America prioritizes guns over children’s lives.

Her remarks quickly circulated online, sparking outrage from critics who pointed out that official police statements directly contradict her assertions. Commenters accused O’Donnell of spreading misinformation and politicizing a tragedy without respecting the facts as they emerged.

Shooter Profile Contradicts Public Narrative

Law enforcement officials clarified that the suspect was not affiliated with any political party or movement, and no evidence was found connecting the individual to white supremacist organizations. Instead, investigators painted the attacker as a deeply disturbed individual motivated by anti-religious sentiment and personal grievances rooted in resentment toward Catholic institutions.

Detectives revealed that the shooter uploaded a video apologizing to family members but conspicuously omitted any mention of sympathies or regrets for the victims and their families. This added to public outrage in Minneapolis, with parents demanding accountability for the gaps in security that allowed someone to carry weapons so close to a house of worship and school.

Historical Context of School Shootings in America

The Minneapolis attack adds to a devastating list of school shootings in the United States over several decades. Since the 1999 Columbine massacre in Littleton, Colorado, the country has faced high-profile tragedies such as Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, and Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022. Each incident has fueled national debates over mental health, security measures, and gun regulations.

What distinguishes the Minneapolis case is the combination of anti-religious targeting and the deliberate planning detailed in the shooter’s personal manifesto. While most mass shootings in schools have involved grievances against classmates or institutions broadly, this attack appeared to be aimed specifically at Catholic identity and religious practice, setting it apart from other cases.

Economic and Social Impact on Minneapolis

School shootings reverberate far beyond the immediate tragedy. In Minneapolis, residents are grappling with grief, heightened security costs, and long-term economic impacts tied to trauma recovery. School districts often face increased expenses after such attacks for counseling, security improvements, and teacher retention.

Local businesses near Annunciation Catholic School have reported a slowdown in customers since the attack, citing both safety concerns and the somber atmosphere in the neighborhood. Parents have expressed hesitancy about sending their children back to in-person classes, raising concerns for enrollment stability in private Catholic schools across the Twin Cities.

Mental health clinics in the region also anticipate higher demand for pediatric and family counseling services as traumatized children and staff process the events. Historically, cities affected by mass shootings have incurred millions in additional costs, ranging from emergency response funding to long-term community support programs.

Regional Comparisons and Security Concerns

Midwestern communities have experienced several tragedies involving mass violence in recent decades, though large-scale school shootings remain relatively rare compared to states like Texas and Florida. In Minnesota, the 2005 Red Lake High School shooting, where a student killed seven people, remains one of the state’s most infamous cases of school violence.

The Annunciation Catholic School incident now stands as one of the deadliest in Minnesota’s history, underscoring concerns that even smaller communities in the Midwest are not insulated from national trends of mass gun violence. Parents across the region are demanding renewed attention to building security, mental health resources, and closer coordination between schools and law enforcement agencies.

National Reaction to O'Donnell’s Comments

Rosie O'Donnell’s remarks have drawn intense criticism not only from conservatives but also from commentators who argue that misrepresenting facts undermines public discourse. Fact-checkers highlighted the speed with which her statements spread online, adding to an already confusing environment in the immediate aftermath of a mass shooting.

Some media observers noted that celebrities often amplify misinformation during national crises, whether intentionally or out of emotional reaction. In today’s environment of polarized media consumption, inaccurate claims can quickly harden into public perception, complicating efforts to focus on verified information and solutions.

While O'Donnell has long been outspoken on issues related to gun violence, her decision to attribute political affiliations to the Minneapolis shooter without evidence has reignited debates over the role of high-profile figures in shaping narratives after tragedies.

Community Response and Path Forward

In Minneapolis, vigils have been held at Annunciation Catholic Church as parents, clergy, and officials come together in mourning. Religious leaders emphasized forgiveness and healing but also called for decisive action to enhance security at faith-based schools. Educational officials announced that trauma counseling sessions will remain available indefinitely for children and families directly affected.

Meanwhile, investigators continue to analyze the shooter’s manifesto for clues regarding additional motives or potential missed warning signs. City officials have urged calm and asked the public to await official updates rather than relying on speculation and unverified claims circulating online.

Conclusion

The Minneapolis Catholic school shooting has left a community in anguish and raised national questions about security, mental health, and the dangers of misinformation. Rosie O'Donnell’s inaccurate assertions about the shooter’s political alignment underscore the importance of verifying facts before amplifying claims in moments of crisis.

As Minneapolis mourns the loss of two children and supports the 17 wounded, broader conversations are underway across the nation about how best to protect schools and places of worship from targeted violence. The tragedy has also renewed focus on the responsibility of public figures to avoid spreading falsehoods that risk distorting a community’s grief and delaying the pursuit of truth and accountability.