A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, where two children lost their lives in a shooting during the first week of classes, according to local law enforcement. The victims, aged 8 and 10, were among 17 people injured in the incident, with 14 of them being children. At least two of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.
The incident occurred at Annunciation Catholic School during a mass worship service. The assailant approached the exterior of the school and began firing a rifle through the church window, targeting children and worshippers. The city’s Mayor, Jacob Frey, expressed his grief and frustration, urging people to recognize the gravity of the situation beyond offering ‘thoughts and prayers’.
Parents anxiously awaited news of their children following the mass shooting. Emergency responders swiftly entered the school to assist the injured and search for any individuals who may have sought refuge. The city government confirmed that the shooter had been neutralized, eliminating any further threat to the community.
The suspected shooter, now deceased, was reportedly armed with three weapons, including a shotgun, rifle, and pistol. The police chief described the act as a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and worshippers, condemning the cowardice of firing into a church full of children. The suspect, in his early 20s, did not have a significant known criminal history.
Governor Tim Walz expressed his horror at the violence that marred the first week of school for the children and teachers. As law enforcement and emergency services converged on the school, students were evacuated. Hennepin Healthcare, home to Minnesota’s largest emergency department, confirmed they were dealing with the emergency and caring for patients from the shooting.
Former President Donald Trump expressed his condolences via a post on Truth Social, stating that he had been briefed on the tragic incident and that the White House would continue to monitor the situation.
Local resident Bill Bienemann, who lives nearby and regularly attends Mass at Annunciation Church, reported hearing dozens of shots, possibly up to 50, over a period of several minutes. The school, which dates back to 1923, had an all-school Mass scheduled at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday. This incident is the latest in a series of fatal shootings in the city in less than 24 hours.