First lady Melania Trump took to social media late Wednesday night to comment on the tragedy earlier in the day at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in which two students, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old, were shot and killed during mass. Seventeen other students were also wounded.
The first lady called for preventive measures to be taken to help identify possible school shooters in the future.
“The tragic mass killing in Minnesota illuminates the need for pre-emptive intervention in identifying potential school shooters,” said Trump. “Early warning signs are often evident, with many individuals exhibiting concerning behaviors and making violent threats online prior to their actions.”
The first lady recommended that people monitor “behavioral threat assessments,” specifically social media platforms, to identify possible threats.
“To prevent future tragedies, it is crucial we look into behavioral threat assessments across all levels of society—beginning in our homes, extending through school districts and of course, social media platforms,” the first lady said. “Being aware of these warning signs and acting quickly can save lives and make American communities safer.”
Trump’s comments, and suggestion that social media behavior could be a precursor to potentially dangerous behavior in the future echo ideas from her BE BEST campaign, an initiative by the first lady “focused around the well-being of children and highlighting the people and programs dedicated to ensuring a better future for our next generation.”
The BE BEST campaign has three central ideas, or “pillars” as the first lady identifies them. They are: “well-being, which includes the social and emotional health of children; online safety, which focuses on educating families on how to protect children online and promote healthy online habits; and opioid abuse, focused on protecting our most vulnerable from the effects of drug abuse while promoting resources and programs for all who struggle with addiction.” (The last “pillar” not applicable to the tragedy in Minnesota.)
“With technology and social media emerging as a daily routine in children’s lives, Mrs. Trump found it important to promote online safety and educate families on healthy online habits,” read a release promoting the BE BEST campaign. “Mrs. Trump met with leaders in technology to raise awareness on the tools and resources available to protect children, spoke to parents and teachers about the importance of educating children on how to safely interact with one another on the Internet, and met with families who tragically lost loved ones due to online attacks.”
ANNUNCIATION CHURCH SHOOTING COMES AFTER DAYS OF VIOLENCE IN MINNEAPOLIS
The first lady also expressed her condolences to the families affected by the shooting, calling it a “senseless and depraved violent act.”
“My heart is shattered for the families and friends of the victims of today’s senseless and depraved violent act,” Trump posted. “There is nothing that anyone can say to make your grief go away, but please know that you are not alone. My thoughts, love, and deepest sympathy are with you during this dreadful time.”