One Minute Tours creator John O’Sullivan relocates to Australia, citing shootings and safety fears for children

A Minnesota social media fixture announces an international move

John O’Sullivan, the creator and on-camera host behind the One Minute Tours brand known for short-form videos about Minnesota places and history, has relocated with his family to Australia. In a video posted on social media over the weekend, O’Sullivan said he moved in mid-January and framed the decision as a response to concerns about safety and political violence.

O’Sullivan built a following by producing rapid, one-minute explainers tied to Minneapolis, St. Paul and other Minnesota locations, and later expanded the concept into walking-tour offerings. His departure prompted immediate discussion among followers, with some questioning the move while others expressed support.

Shootings cited in the announcement as turning points

In the video, O’Sullivan referenced recent high-profile shootings as part of his stated reasoning for leaving Minnesota with his children. The montage included coverage connected to the June 14, 2025 assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman at her home in Brooklyn Park, an attack that also killed her husband and left two others injured.

The video also referenced an August 2025 shooting at Annunciation Church, a case that drew statewide attention and heightened anxiety among some residents over public safety.

O’Sullivan additionally pointed to the January 7, 2026 killing of Renée Good in south Minneapolis, an incident involving a federal immigration officer. He described these events as part of a broader pattern of political violence and said he did not believe Minnesota was presently safe for his children.

Family circumstances and future content plans

O’Sullivan said his household had the ability to relocate and that family ties to Australia made the move feasible. He also acknowledged feelings of guilt about leaving while describing Minnesota as important to him personally and professionally.

In his announcement, O’Sullivan said he intends to continue producing Minnesota-related content while also shifting part of his focus to Australia and his life there. The message sought to separate his affection for Minnesota from his conclusion that his family should not remain in the state at this time.

What the move highlights about safety debates in Minnesota

The announcement lands amid ongoing public debate in Minnesota over gun violence, political extremism and the responsibility of institutions to prevent attacks on public officials and in public spaces. O’Sullivan’s message places the issue into a personal frame: whether parents with the means to leave should do so when they believe the risk environment is worsening.

His relocation does not change Minnesota’s broader safety profile on its own, but it underscores how widely publicized incidents can shape residents’ perceptions of risk—particularly for families—beyond the immediate neighborhoods where violence occurs.

• Move destination: Australia
• Timing described by O’Sullivan: mid-January 2026
• Incidents referenced: June 14, 2025 assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman; August 2025 Annunciation Church shooting; Jan. 7, 2026 killing of Renée Good

O’Sullivan said he fears Minnesota is not currently safe for his children and described growing political violence as a factor in his decision.