Gunfire erupted Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during morning mass.
The shooter fired a rifle through church windows, also carrying a shotgun and a pistol.
Police confirmed he killed two children, ages eight and ten, and injured 17 others.
Authorities contained the shooter, who then killed himself, leaving no active threat for residents.
Officials Respond to Violence
Police chief Brian O’Hara condemned the attack as “sheer cruelty and cowardice” at a press conference.
Governor Tim Walz called the shooting “horrific” and prayed for students and teachers.
Children’s Minnesota admitted five victims, and Hennepin Healthcare treated additional patients from the shooting.
President Donald Trump said the White House monitored the situation and received regular briefings.
Families Evacuated, Community Shocked
Officials evacuated the school and directed families to a reunification zone on campus.
Annunciation Catholic School, serving pre-kindergarten through age 13-14, held a morning mass on the first day.
Social media posts previously showed students enjoying back-to-school events, art projects, and ice pops.
Parents and community members now face shock and grief after the violent incident.
Rising Violence in Minneapolis
This shooting follows a string of fatal attacks across the city in less than 24 hours.
On Tuesday, gunfire outside a high school killed one person and injured six more.
Later, two other shootings in Minneapolis left two people dead.
At least a dozen U.S. college campuses reported hoax shootings with fake gunfire sounds, triggering “run, hide, fight” alerts.
Students nationwide felt fear as the academic year began amidst these threats.
