On Wednesday morning, a mass shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, Minnesota resulted in the tragic deaths of two young children and left 17 others injured. Minneapolis police swiftly responded to the shooter incident at Annunciation Catholic School, which is located in the southern part of the city, during a worship service marking the first week of school.
During a press conference, Police Chief Brian O’Hara revealed the heartbreaking details of the event. The victims, aged eight and ten, were tragically killed while seated in church pews during the mass. “Their parents have been notified. Seventeen other people were injured, 14 of them children. Two of those children are in critical condition,” O’Hara stated. He described the incident as an “unthinkable tragedy,” occurring just before 8:30 AM when the gunman fired a rifle through the school’s windows, targeting the children and worshippers inside.
The shooter, who was identified as being in his early 20s with no known criminal history, used multiple firearms, including a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol, during the attack. Chief O'Hara confirmed that there were dozens of children present in the church at the time of the shooting.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed the deep sorrow felt by the community, stating, “Children are dead. There are families that have a deceased child. You cannot put into words the gravity, the tragedy, or the pain of this situation.” He urged the public to empathize with the suffering families, emphasizing the profound impact of this horrific event on the community.
In a separate briefing, Dr. Thomas Wyatt, chair of emergency medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center, reported that the hospital had received 11 patients, including two adults and nine children, aged between six and 14. While four patients required surgery, fortunately, no fatalities were reported among those brought to the hospital. Children’s Minnesota Hospital also confirmed that five children were admitted for care but did not disclose further details out of respect for the families involved.
Governor Tim Walz stated he was briefed on the shooting and promised to provide updates as more information became available. He expressed his condolences on social media, emphasizing the need for prayers for the children and teachers affected by this act of violence. Former President Donald Trump also shared his condolences via Truth Social, indicating that the White House would continue to monitor the situation closely.
Meanwhile, Kristi Noem, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, announced that the Department of Homeland Security is actively monitoring the situation and is in contact with interagency partners to provide updates as they unfold. She expressed her thoughts and prayers for the victims and their families.
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement, confirming their active assistance to the Minneapolis Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. They urged local residents to avoid the area to ensure emergency responders could operate effectively. “This is an evolving situation and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this act of violence,” the sheriff's office stated.
Students at Annunciation Catholic School, which serves children from preschool through eighth grade, had only recently returned to school after summer break. Earlier this week, the school’s Facebook page featured images of students reuniting and joyfully parking their bikes. This tragic shooting marks the fourth incident of gun violence in Minneapolis within a mere 24 hours, with three other victims shot and killed in separate incidents just prior to this event.
This devastating mass shooting has left the Minneapolis community in shock and mourning, as they grapple with the aftermath of such a senseless act of violence.
