Minnesota Influencer Leaves US for Australia Citing School Shooting Fears

John O'Sullivan, known for his 'One Minute Tours' of Minnesota, has moved his family to Australia after the Annunciation school shooting.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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John O'Sullivan, a social media influencer known for his Minnesota-focused 'One Minute Tours', has revealed that he and his family have left the United States and moved to Australia. O'Sullivan cited growing violence and political unrest in the US, particularly after the Annunciation school shooting, as the primary reasons for the move.

Why it matters

O'Sullivan had built a reputation as a booster of Minnesota, but his decision to leave the state and the country highlights the broader concerns many Americans have about gun violence and political instability. His move also raises questions about how influential figures can shape perceptions of a place, and what it means when they decide to leave.

The details

In a new online announcement, O'Sullivan, who has two young children ages 2 and 4, said he no longer feels Minnesota is a safe place for his family. He acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, having spent the last five years promoting Minneapolis and Minnesota. O'Sullivan pointed to the Annunciation school shooting as a key factor, saying the fact that it happened so close to home was his 'acute concern' when the family first moved to the US.

  • O'Sullivan revealed his family's move to Australia in an online announcement on February 16, 2026.
  • The Annunciation school shooting, which O'Sullivan cited as a key reason for leaving, occurred in recent months prior to the announcement.

The players

John O'Sullivan

A social media influencer known for his 'One Minute Tours' of Minnesota, who has now moved his family to Australia citing concerns over gun violence and political unrest in the US.

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What they’re saying

“I don't feel that Minnesota is a safe place for my children right now.”

— John O'Sullivan, Social Media Influencer (cbsnews.com)

“The fact that it happened so close to home when that was our acute concern when moving to America in the first place. We always said when we came here that we were going to be here until our kids are in school, and then we got, you know, sucked into our love for Minnesota.”

— John O'Sullivan, Social Media Influencer (cbsnews.com)

“There is no place in America that is safe from school shootings and it's been nearly 30 years since I remember reading the news about Columbine when I was in junior high school. And we all collectively have failed. We failed to make this thing stop.”

— John O'Sullivan, Social Media Influencer (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

O'Sullivan says he plans to continue releasing previously shot Minnesota videos and will be back to visit the state in a few weeks. He is also planning to create content about his new life as an expat in Australia.

The takeaway

O'Sullivan's decision to leave Minnesota and the US for Australia highlights the growing concerns many Americans have about gun violence and political instability, even among those who have previously championed a state or city. His move raises questions about how influential figures can shape perceptions of a place, and what it means when they decide to leave.