A tragic shooting inside a Minneapolis Catholic church has left two children dead and 17 others injured, most of them students, after a gunman opened fire during a Wednesday morning mass service on August 27.
Details of the Shooting
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said officers received reports of shots fired at Annunciation Catholic School just before 8:30 a.m., during a service marking the first week of school.
The suspect fired multiple rounds through church windows with a rifle while dozens of children were inside.
Two children, ages 8 and 10, were fatally shot while sitting in pews.
Of the 17 injured, 14 were children, two of whom remain in critical condition.
Police confirmed the shooter used three firearms—a rifle, shotgun, and pistol—before apparently dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound outside the church. Authorities have not released his identity but said he appeared to be in his early 20s.
Hospital Response
At a separate briefing, Dr. Thomas Wyatt, chair of emergency medicine at Hennepin Healthcare, said 11 patients were admitted, including 9 children aged 6 to 14. Seven of those children remain in critical condition.
Community Leaders Respond
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the incident “unthinkable” and spoke emotionally about the loss:
“Don’t just say it’s about thoughts and prayers, these kids were literally praying. These are kids who should be learning with their friends, they should be playing on the playground, they should be able to go to school or church in peace.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also addressed the shooting, writing on X (formerly Twitter):
“I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.”
Investigation Underway
Authorities have not yet determined the shooter’s motive and are still searching his vehicle. Police have not confirmed whether he had any prior connection to the school as a student or staff member.
The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School has shaken Minneapolis and the wider community, leaving families grieving and dozens of children traumatized. With two young lives lost and several more hanging in the balance, officials say the focus now is on supporting victims’ families, protecting students, and ensuring schools and places of worship remain safe.
