In the aftermath of a harrowing incident at a Catholic church and school, a man named in a video allegedly created by the primary suspect is voicing his condemnation of the attacker's actions.
Brandon Herrera, a staunch advocate for the Second Amendment, a YouTuber, and a Republican congressional candidate from Texas, has been thrust into the spotlight following the tragic events that unfolded on Wednesday.
According to Fox News, Herrera was mentioned in a video linked to the suspect, prompting him to issue a statement through his campaign. "I'm horrified by this clearly hate-motivated attack on innocent children and disgusted that my name came out of this demon's mouth," Herrera expressed.
He further clarified, "I meet thousands of people every year at SHOT Show in Las Vegas, but I dont remember this individual at all, nor does anyone I was there with." Despite this, Herrera has pledged his full cooperation with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, stating, "I am making myself fully available to the FBI and any other law enforcement agency that have questions."
The suspect, identified by authorities as Robin Westman, also known as Robert Westman, is accused of a heinous act that resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to 17 others during a Catholic mass in Minneapolis.
The suspect is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A video, purportedly posted by Westman under the name Robin Westman, was removed from YouTube following the incident.
The video allegedly displayed handwritten notes, ammunition, and weapons adorned with messages, accompanied by commentary from the individual behind the camera. However, the authenticity of this footage remains unverified by officials.
In the video, the person filming made a startling endorsement, stating, "Brandon Herrera for president. Yeah, I met Brandon Herrera at SHOT Show last year and he and I had a conversation, a brief conversation, we agreed on a lot of things, so yall should vote for Brandon Herrera for president."
The SHOT Show, an annual event in Las Vegas, stands for "Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show."
Mark Oliva, a spokesperson for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), which organizes the SHOT Show, confirmed to Fox News Digital that Westman's name does not appear on any attendee lists for the event in 2024 or prior years. Oliva emphasized, "only those registered are allowed entry into SHOT Show and the trade show is not open to the public."
Herrera, also known by his online alias "TheAKGuy," took to social media to express his sorrow and anger over the tragedy. "I will not, nor will I ever say the name of the gutless coward who decided to take the lives of innocent people in Minneapolis today," he declared.
His message to the shooter was unequivocal: "My heart goes out to the family of those affected, but to the shooter, I have one thing to say in response. F--- you. Burn in hell."
As the investigation continues, Herrera is working with law enforcement to determine how best to support the affected families and community.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about safety and security at public gatherings, as well as the responsibilities of public figures when their names are invoked in such contexts.
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