A year later, mother and son still heal from mass shooting trauma

A year after the mass shooting on 27 August 2025, Brittany Haeg and her 6-year-old son David are still coping with the aftermath. David, who was injured in the attack, carries shrapnel in his body and faces ongoing medical care. For Haeg, the journey involves both physical healing and emotional recovery.

David, now 7, was wounded during the shooting while attending an event with his family. The fragments left in his body mean regular hospital visits, but his mother describes the mental scars as equally challenging. She struggles to separate his physical injuries from the emotional trauma they both endure.

Haeg has found comfort in simple, supportive conversations. Listening, she says, has been more healing than advice. She now views hope not as an emotion but as a daily choice—a way to keep moving forward. Calista Wery, from NAMI Minnesota, stresses that safety must come first before true healing can begin. The organisation offers mental health resources for survivors of gun violence, including counselling and recovery programmes. NAMI also advocates for policy change, joining Haeg in pushing the Minnesota House to pass a comprehensive gun violence prevention bill. For those in crisis, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline remains available. Help is just a call or text away at 988. Haeg’s three children attend Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. Despite the hardship, she continues to focus on their stability and her own path to recovery.

The shooting left lasting wounds for David and his family, from medical treatments to emotional struggles. Haeg’s advocacy and NAMI Minnesota’s support highlight the need for both personal healing and systemic change. As the push for stricter gun laws continues, resources like the 988 lifeline remain vital for those still affected.