Gov. Walz meets with state leaders to talk special session on gun reform

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Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis on Sept. 3, 2025. (FOX 9)

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minneapolis City Council will petition Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Legislature Tuesday afternoon to pursue new gun control reform in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Annunciation Church and School.

Annunciation parent: 'Something has to be done'

Kacie Sharpe, whose son was sitting near Fletcher Merkel when he was fatally shot while attending mass at the Annunciation Catholic Church, stood outside the building on Wednesday during Vice President JD Vance's visit. She said, ?We do not need these weapons to protect ourselves. We do not need these weapons to hunt. We do not need them. They're for the military. ?. This is not OK. ?. This is a political problem. Something has to be done. My son lost his best friend in the world because these politicians won't do anything." Sharpe said they feel ?hopeless? that something will be done to prevent similar shootings in the future. ?We need something to be done.? Sharpe said an armed guard or armed teachers would not have prevented the Annunciation shooting from happening. She added her son misses his best friend and Fletcher was a great child.

Letter to Gov. Walz

What we know:

The city council is filing a letter to Gov. Walz on Tuesday in support of a special session at the Minnesota State Capitol to pursue legislation on gun control. They’re also filing a resolution calling on Walz and the legislature to get a state-wide ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines.

It comes after two students were killed, and 21 other people were wounded in an Aug. 27 shooting at Annunciation Church as the community was gathering for an all-school mass to start the academic year. Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, were killed in the attack. A total of 18 other students were wounded, as were three adults.

Annunciation community remembers Fletcher Merkel at funeral

Family and friends of Fletcher Merkel gathered Sunday at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church to remember the Annunciation student who was killed in the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School on Aug. 27.

Walz meets with House, Senate leaders

Why you should care:

Gov. Tim Walz met Tuesday with the top legislative leaders from both parties in both the House and Senate to discuss a special session on protecting kids from gun violence. It’s the first meeting of the leaders since the mass shooting at Annunciation Church.

After that tragedy, the governor has said he intends to call a special session to work on gun control, including a ban on assault weapons. Many of the victims’ families have called for that type of change.

Republicans have been against any new gun laws, but they want to work on bills beefing up school security. A special session would likely start after the election next Tuesday to replace Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated in June.

At events to honor Annunciation victims, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has called several times for a ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines.