Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes addressed the public in the aftermath, a moment when facts are still scarce, and emotions are raw. "I don't know whether [the shooter] was transgender or not," Chief Barnes said in a news conference, when asked about the shooter's gender identity. He went on, stating, "I don't think that whatever happened today has anything to do with how she or he or they may have wanted to identify... And I wish people would kind of leave their own personal biases out of this."
The Chief’s remarks reflect a troubling trend: an unwillingness to acknowledge uncomfortable possibilities for fear of political backlash. By refusing to discuss the shooter’s identity in meaningful terms, Barnes avoids an honest conversation that could lead to real solutions. We owe it to children and society to ask difficult questions: is it possible that transgender identity is linked to underlying mental health struggles? Ignoring this possibility for the sake of political correctness does a disservice to vulnerable young people who may need support, counseling, and intervention.
This is not about assigning blame or targeting an identity group; it’s about asking whether some young people struggling with “gender dysphoria” are also experiencing deeper emotional and psychological crises. If we care about saving lives and preventing tragedies, we need to explore every possible factor contributing to these horrific events. Dismissing the shooter’s identity as “of no consequence” shuts down a conversation that could shine a light on mental health challenges impacting a growing number of youth.
Rather than confronting the possibility that transgenderism may indicate deeper mental health challenges, Barnes’ response exemplifies the Left’s refusal to have an honest conversation. Instead of prioritizing solutions, such as counseling and support for these troubled youth, they sidestep the issue entirely. If we truly care about preventing these tragedies, we need to focus on identifying and addressing the mental health crises that so many young people are experiencing. Hiding behind political correctness does nothing to save lives.
In the hours following any shooting, there is an almost scripted response from media outlets and political voices on the Left. The immediate focus becomes gun control, often before victims’ names are even known. Conversations that could focus on mental health, school safety measures, family breakdowns, and early intervention are drowned out by talking points and political posturing.
And this time, the questions about the shooter’s gender identity entered the fray. Chief Barnes’ response, measured, thoughtful, and urgent, attempted to redirect attention to what really matters: the lives lost, the families shattered, and the solutions to prevent such horror. Yet, predictably, some used even this question to ignite controversy. Whether the shooter was transgender or not, as Barnes himself stated, “it is of no consequence AT THIS TIME.” And he’s absolutely right.
Unfortunately, the Left often picks and chooses when identity matters. If a shooter aligns with a particular demographic or political persuasion, it suddenly becomes either headline news or a taboo subject. This selective outrage reflects a broader problem: tragedy should never be used as a tool for scoring political points. But again, here we are. Instead of confronting the cultural, emotional, and societal factors that contribute to this violence, the narrative remains one-dimensional and accusatory.
At the heart of this issue are young people in crisis. School shootings are complex, multifaceted tragedies. Blaming guns or turning the conversation into an identity-driven political battle does nothing to address the root causes. Parents, educators, and policymakers need to work together to identify patterns of alienation, mental health struggles, and societal breakdowns that contribute to these events.
Chief Barnes’ words should serve as a reminder to all of us: this is not the time to impose personal biases or political agendas. It’s a time for unity, solutions, and respect for the victims and their families. Anything less dishonors their memory.
by CPT Robert M. Cornicelli US Army (Ret)/Navy Veteran President VFAF/Veterans for Trump
