RFK Jr. Links Antidepressants to Minneapolis School Shooting, Experts Cite Lack of Evidence

In the wake of the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis—where a gunman killed two children and injured 17 others—U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., suggested that psychiatric drugs, including SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), might be factors warranting investigation. He cited federal "black-box warnings" for suicidal and homicidal ideation as justification for initiating studies into the drugs’ potential links to violence.

On August 27, 2025, during morning Mass at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis for students and faculty, a tragic mass shooting occurred. The 23-year-old gunman, Robin Westman, a former student of the school, fired multiple weapons through the church windows, killing two children and injuring eighteen others, most of whom were young students. The shooter died by suicide at the scene. First responders recovered over 100 rounds of ammunition, and the FBI is investigating the incident as both a potential hate crime and domestic terrorism.

Many including Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota criticized Kennedy’s remarks, stating they misallocate blame and insult the grieving community, emphasizing instead that easy access to firearms is a more plausible factor in mass violence.

Medical experts reiterate broader clinical consensus that antidepressants are not associated with violent behavior. Research continues to show no reliable causal link between SSRIs and aggression, and many studies instead emphasize their effectiveness in managing depressive and anxiety disorders.

Data from peer-reviewed studies indicate complex associations between mental health conditions especially mood disorders and aggression or suicide risk. For instance, youth under 25 starting SSRI treatment may experience a higher risk of suicidal ideation, particularly during the initial weeks of therapy, but evidence does not support an increase in homicidal behavior.

On the other hand, in the past 20 years, over 240,000 U.S. students have been present during school shootings. While fatalities draw public focus, less is known about survivors. A large study found that exposure to fatal school shootings leads to lasting and significant increases in youth antidepressant use. ^[1]

Clinical Context for Medical Practitioners

These developments underscore the need for evidence-based discourse in public health. While the exploration of all potential contributing factors to tragic events is understandable, attributing violence to antidepressants without supporting data risks deepening stigma and confusion. Physicians can use this moment to clarify the nuanced balance between managing risk, especially in younger patients and the well-demonstrated benefits of antidepressant treatment, particularly when paired with close monitoring and psychosocial support.

Reference:

1. Rossin-Slater, Maya, Molly Schnell, Hannes Schwandt, Sam Trejo, and Lindsey Uniat. “Local Exposure to School Shootings and Youth Antidepressant Use.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 117, no. 38 (September 8, 2020): 23484–23489. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2000804117.

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