In wake of school shooting in Minneapolis, messages of continued vigilance, sorrow, shared
In the wake of a school shooting at at Catholic school in Minneapolis that let two children dead and 17 individuals injured, local law enforcement and school officials offered shared heartbreak and continued vigilance.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno was among those expressing both.
“In the wake of the school tragedy that unfolded earlier today in Minneapolis, I’d like to express my deepest condolences to a community who has not only experienced the unthinkable – but is now left to mourn the loss of young lives,” Marceno wrote in a message to the community. “To the residents of Lee County, I have some thoughts I would like to share. As much as it pains me to say these words: we are not immune. With school threats and targeted acts of violence in the news, I say this not to instill fear, but to shed light on the importance of remaining vigilant when it comes to safety in our schools.”
Marceno said their Youth Services Division and School Threat Enforcement Team will continue to show a heavy presence in both public and private settings.
“Though we cannot predict every scenario that may arise – as your sheriff, I can promise you this – the safety and welfare of your children remains a top priority,” he said.
The message of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office remains the same – report any suspicious behavior, or school-related threats, no matter the context, to local law enforcement.
Cape Coral Police Department Chief Anthony Sizemore also said our communities are not immune.
“Threats to religious institutions and schools have been on the rise across the country in recent years, and Cape Coral is not immune-one of our own Jewish centers was the site of an attack a few years back,” Sizemore said.
He emphasized the department’s proactive efforts.
“Our intelligence team is linked in with our regional, state, and federal partners, and we monitor this kind of activity every day, checking for local connections and whether there’s actionable intelligence. On top of that, we have officers assigned to state and federal task forces and we stay in constant communication with our local intel partners.
“In addition to the intelligence aspect, we constantly train all personnel-from frontline officers to supervisors-for the tactical realities of an active threat. Our staff is trained and ready to respond decisively, just as our community would expect.
“The point I want to emphasize is this: we are watching, we are plugged in, and we are proactive,” he said.
The School District of Lee County shared a similar message.
“Our condolences to the families of the young lives lost, and our prayers for a full recovery for those injured. At the School District of Lee County, student safety is our top priority. We constantly assess our procedures and will review what happened for ways to strengthen our security,” District spokesperson Rob Spicker said Wednesday.
The Diocese of Venice also issued a statement of shared grief and support.
“The news of the shooting during a school Mass at Annunciation Parish and School in Minneapolis has left all heartbroken. Such senseless acts of violence are unacceptable and nearly impossible to understand. Still, we seek God Our Father’s consolation for all those who now suffer. In the wake of such a tragic event, thoughts naturally turn to the safety and security of our local schools,” the message states.
“In the wake of such a tragic event, thoughts naturally turn to the safety and security of our local schools. Security at Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Venice has always been a priority and continues to be a critical component of the planning process for each academic year. Although it is believed that the Catholic Schools are secure, the Diocese is in ongoing communication with existing security teams as well as local law enforcement. In this context, we remain steadfast in commitment to campus safety. School administration, faculty and staff are prepared to practice increased vigilance in the days ahead, mindful of the anxiety and concern caused by such a tragedy.
The message turned to the dead, the injured and the grieving community.
“Please join in praying for the Annunciation Parish and School Community, especially for those who have lost their lives, the recovery of those injured, and for the families of all impacted,” the message states.
The Associated Press reports that the shooter, identified as Robin Westman, 23, shot dozens of rounds through the windows toward the children sitting in the pews during Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School just before 8:30 a.m. on their first day of school Wednesday.
Two children, ages 8 and 10 died. Fourteen others, as well as three adults, were injured with AP reporting that they are expected to survive. Westman died by suicide.
The shooting is being investigated as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics, according to AP reports.
Editor’s note: Information from the Associated Press is included in this report.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com