Tim Walz’s son Gus praised by coach for keeping other children safe during 2023 shooting incident

This article contains some graphic information and content that may trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: When the issue of gun violence came up during the vice presidential debate on Tuesday, October 1, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz shared a deeply personal anecdote that touched many viewers. His teenage son Gus Walz had witnessed a shooting incident at a sports recreation center.

Gus, 17, was enjoying his day at volleyball practice at the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center in St Paul, Minnesota, on January 18, 2023. But the peaceful afternoon went awry when a shooting took place right outside the center, leaving one 16-year-old boy seriously wounded.

Tim Walz recounts son Gus' chaotic day at recreation center

Gus Walz and his teammates were caught in the middle of what every parent dreads. Coach David Albornoz later recounted the chaos and praised Gus for how he reacted in such a terrifying situation.

“I was impressed by Gus and the kids in general, and how they handled it," Albornoz told the Associated Press on Wednesday, October 2.

“Gus stayed with the kids as he was supposed to do.”

While Gus didn’t witness the actual shooting, he was right there in the aftermath.

Albornoz, who was also working as the aquatics supervisor that day, had to perform first aid on the victim and Gus saw him with blood-stained hands.

“Well, I think all the parents watching tonight, this is your biggest nightmare," Walz said during the debate. "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.”

Gus did what many might struggle to do in such a situation—he kept calm and helped others. According to Walz, his son was responsible for younger children that day and worked quickly to get them to safety.

“He was there with little kids, littler kids. He was kind of supervising. He shuffled them under the bleachers,” Walz said in a March interview with Minnesota Public Radio.

Albornoz – while backing up most of the governor’s account — added that Gus had actually taken the children back to the pool area, locking them behind doors until the coast was clear. Either way, Gus’ quick thinking helped protect others even though he was surely rattled himself.

Tim Walz's son Gus in national spotlight

Just a few months earlier, Gus Walz had become an overnight sensation when cameras caught him during his father, Tim Walz's speech at the Democratic National Convention. Tears streamed down his face as he proudly exclaimed, “That’s my dad!”

The moment went viral on social media, but not everyone was kind on the internet. In response, Coach Albornoz took to Facebook to praise Gus for his resilience and maturity.

“He’s a kid thrown into the fray and turmoil of our current divided and divisive political landscape, deserving of love and respect as he navigates his senior year,” he wrote. He also recalled how the team would often go out for tacos after volleyball games.

"I also know him from when a kid got shot in the parking lot and he helped keeping everyone safe and calm, looking after the kids in the gym with us as I rushed out,” Albornoz wrote of Gus in August.

On Wednesday, Albornoz said Gus is just a regular teen who has suddenly been thrust into the national spotlight. “He’s a normal kid in extraordinary circumstances," the coach said.

More details on recreation centre shooting

The Jimmy Lee Recreation Center shooter was identified as Exavir Binford Jr, an employee at the recreation center who was eventually sentenced to over 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree assault.

Binford shot 16-year-old JuVaughn Turner during a dispute, leaving Turner with permanent brain damage.

Turner’s family has since sued the city, alleging that officials knew about Binford’s violent tendencies but failed to act. However, the city is fighting back claiming Binford wasn’t on duty at the time and didn’t have law enforcement authority. The lawsuit is still ongoing.

During the debate, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance empathized with Walz after hearing the story.

“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.

“I appreciate that,” Walz responded.