A shocking video surfaces, allegedly from the Minneapolis shooting suspect, name-dropping a prominent gun rights activist. What does this mean for the Texas congressional race and the broader conversation around gun control? The ripple effects are already being felt.
A recent tragedy in Minneapolis has been complicated by the emergence of a video, allegedly posted by the shooter, which appears to endorse Texas congressional candidate and prominent gun rights activist, Brandon Herrera. This unforeseen mention has thrust Herrera into the national spotlight, prompting a swift and forceful response from his campaign and raising questions about the intersection of political rhetoric and violent acts.
The incident, which unfolded at a Minneapolis church, resulted in two fatalities and 17 injuries during a children’s Mass. Authorities identified the alleged shooter as Robin Westman, 23. In a YouTube video, since removed, a person believed to be Westman displayed an array of weapons and ammunition, alongside a written manifesto, and explicitly stated the message was “sponsored” by “Brandon Herrera for president,” claiming a prior meeting with Herrera.
Brandon Herrera, widely recognized as “the AK guy” with a significant online following, is a vocal proponent of gun rights and is currently challenging U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District Republican primary. His political platform often critiques what he views as infringements on Second Amendment rights, aligning him with a substantial segment of the gun-owning community and impacting the broader congressional election.
The alleged video further claimed Westman met Herrera at the SHOT Show, an annual gun trade convention in Las Vegas. In response, Herrera released a statement expressing his disgust at being mentioned by the shooter and firmly denied any recollection of meeting Westman. He affirmed his willingness to cooperate fully with law enforcement and assist victims’ families, emphasizing his condemnation of the Minneapolis shooting violence.
Adding another layer to the investigation, Mark Oliva, a spokesperson for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which organizes the SHOT Show, stated that the shooter’s name was not listed among registered attendees for either the 2024 event or previous years. This discrepancy further complicates the narrative presented in the alleged video and the veracity of the shooter’s claims surrounding the gun rights community.
Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that the shooter had planned the release of a manifesto on YouTube. However, Minnesota law enforcement officials have yet to definitively verify that the specific YouTube video referencing Brandon Herrera was indeed posted by the perpetrator, maintaining an ongoing investigation into its authenticity and context within the Texas politics landscape.
Further details from the alleged video, referenced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, revealed disturbing messages, including “Kill Donald Trump,” scrawled on a rifle magazine. This underscores the volatile and potentially ideologically charged nature of the shooter’s motivations, separate from the alleged Herrera endorsement. Herrera himself has been a vocal critic of Rep. Tony Gonzales, particularly for Gonzales’ support of a gun safety bill that expanded background checks following the tragic Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde, intensifying the gun control debate.
The unfolding situation casts a shadow over the contentious Texas congressional race, highlighting the sensitive and often politicized nature of gun violence and its public discourse. As the investigation progresses, both the political ramifications for candidates like Brandon Herrera and the broader societal debate surrounding gun rights and public safety are likely to intensify, influencing future electoral cycles and the gun control debate.
