Tim Walz Shares Son’s Experience During Vice Presidential Debate \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ During the vice presidential debate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz shared a personal story about his teenage son Gus experiencing gun violence at a sports center. Gus was present when a shooting occurred in St. Paul, highlighting the impact of gun violence on families. Walz’s story added a personal dimension to the debate on gun safety.
Tim Walz’s Personal Gun Violence Story: Quick Looks
- Personal Account: Tim Walz shared how his son Gus was present during a shooting incident in St. Paul.
- Vice Presidential Debate: Walz used the incident to emphasize the personal toll of gun violence.
- Gus’s Role: Gus helped keep other children calm and led them to safety during the chaos.
- Coach Praises Gus: Volleyball coach David Albornoz commended Gus for his maturity and actions during the shooting.
- Vance Responds: JD Vance expressed empathy towards Walz’s son after hearing the story.
- Previous Mentions: Walz has previously spoken about the incident during campaign events and media interviews.
- Legal Outcome: The shooter, Exavir Binford Jr., was sentenced to over 10 years for the crime.
- Lawsuit Ongoing: Victim’s family is suing the city, citing negligence in handling the rec center employee.
Deep Look
During the vice presidential debate on Tuesday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recounted a deeply personal story about his teenage son, Gus, and his brush with gun violence. Walz’s anecdote highlighted the emotional toll that gun violence takes on American families and brought the issue into sharp focus for viewers as the debate tackled public safety and gun control.
Gus Walz, a high school senior, was at the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center in St. Paul for volleyball practice on the afternoon of January 18, 2023, when gunfire broke out. A 16-year-old boy was shot and seriously injured outside the facility. Gus witnessed the aftermath of the incident, including seeing his coach, David Albornoz, administering first aid to the victim, with blood on his hands.
While it wasn’t the first time that Walz had publicly discussed his son’s proximity to gun violence, Tuesday night’s debate gave the governor a national platform to share how personally his family has been impacted by these tragedies. As the public continues to learn more about both vice presidential candidates, Walz’s remarks offered an opportunity to connect on a very human level, especially with parents who fear for their children’s safety in the current climate of rising gun violence.
In an interview on Wednesday, coach David Albornoz praised Gus for how he responded during the chaos. “I was impressed by Gus and the kids in general, and how they handled it,” Albornoz said. “Gus stayed with the kids as he was supposed to do.” He recounted how Gus helped get the other children to safety, calming them and keeping them out of harm’s way. Albornoz, who also serves as the aquatics facilities supervisor for St. Paul Parks, emphasized Gus’s presence of mind and leadership during an incredibly frightening moment.
When the topic of gun violence was raised during the debate, Walz reflected on the incident involving his son. “Well, I think all the parents watching tonight, this is your biggest nightmare,” Walz said. “Look, I’ve got a 17-year-old and he witnessed a shooting at a community center playing volleyball. Those things don’t leave you.”
Walz acknowledged that Gus did not actually see the moment of the shooting itself, but he experienced the immediate aftermath. Albornoz, who was present during the incident, described how Gus saw him with blood on his hands after attempting to help the victim, JuVaughn Turner.
This wasn’t the first time Walz brought up the traumatic event involving his son. On September 12, during a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Walz had criticized his opponent, JD Vance, and Vance’s running mate, former President Donald Trump, for downplaying the severity of gun violence, particularly in schools and community settings. “My own son was in a location where someone was shot in the head. Too many of us have this,” Walz told the crowd, emphasizing the widespread impact of such violence. Walz also spoke about Gus’s experience during an interview with Minnesota Public Radio in March, stating that Gus was still processing his emotions a year later. “He was there with little kids, littler kids. He was kind of supervising. He shuffled them under the bleachers,” Walz said at the time. Albornoz confirmed that Gus had taken the younger children back to the pool area, where they remained behind locked doors until authorities gave the all-clear.
Gus gained further public attention in August during Tim Walz’s speech at the Democratic National Convention. Gus, standing in the audience, was caught on camera tearfully pointing to his father, saying, “That’s my dad!”—a moment that quickly went viral. Although Gus faced some mockery online for his emotional response, coach Albornoz came to his defense, posting a tribute to Gus on Facebook. Albornoz described how they had met when Gus approached him to lead a volleyball team, and he praised Gus as a young person navigating a politically divided environment while staying true to himself. He also recalled how Gus helped keep everyone safe during the shooting at the rec center, adding that Gus deserved love and respect.
On Wednesday, Albornoz reiterated his support for Gus, emphasizing that Gus is just a “normal kid in extraordinary circumstances.” The young man’s ability to remain calm and take action during the crisis, as well as his emotional openness during his father’s political journey, demonstrated a maturity beyond his years, according to his coach.
The incident at the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center had a significant legal outcome as well. Exavir Binford Jr., a rec center employee, was sentenced to more than ten years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree assault. Prosecutors dropped an attempted murder charge as part of the plea deal. According to prosecutors, Binford shot Turner in the head following an altercation involving multiple teens. Turner’s family has since filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming that Turner suffered permanent brain damage and alleging that the city had prior knowledge of Binford’s violent behavior and threats. The city is attempting to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing that Binford was not acting in his official capacity as a city employee when the shooting occurred, and that he lacked any police authority at the time of the incident.
During the debate, JD Vance expressed empathy for Walz’s family, especially Gus. “Tim, first of all, I didn’t know that your 17-year-old witnessed a shooting, and I’m sorry about that. Christ, have mercy. It is awful,” Vance said, responding to Walz’s account of the shooting. Walz acknowledged the sentiment, replying, “I appreciate that.”
The debate exchange provided an emotionally charged moment that resonated with many viewers, particularly parents. By sharing his son’s experience, Walz aimed to underscore the real-life impact of gun violence on families across America. It also allowed him to contrast his views on gun safety and public safety with those of his opponent. With gun violence being a prominent issue for many voters, Walz’s personal account added a poignant and relatable element to the conversation, highlighting the urgency of addressing this crisis.
Tim Walz Shares
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