At least two children killed in Minneapolis school shooting | U.S.

At least two children, aged eight and 10, have died and 17 people have been injured after a man opened fire at the Annunciation Catholic School church in Minneapolis, U.S. Among the injured are 14 minors, two of whom are in serious condition, and three adults, according to police. The attacker took his own life.

“There are no words that can capture the horror,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey at a press conference on the shooting.

The attack occurred while students were attending a religious service in the church to mark the start of the school year. The gunman entered the chapel and began shooting. He was carrying three firearms, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated. The attacker had tampered with one of the doors to prevent those attending the Mass from escaping.

“During the mass, a gunman approached on the outside, on the side of the building and began firing a rifle through the church windows, towards the children sitting in the pews,” said O’Hara. “This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshiping. The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible.”

Police officers responded immediately to try to neutralize the attacker and rescue the children trapped inside. “Two young children, ages eight and 10 were killed where they sat in the pews,” O’Hara added.

Authorities believe the attacker acted alone. He was a man in his twenties with no apparent criminal record and fired “dozens of rounds” at the congregants.

“These children were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church. These are kids who should be learning with their friends, they should be playing in the playground. They should be able to go to school or church in peace, without fear or risk of violence. And their parents should have the same kind of assurance,” said Frey.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed his sorrow over the incident, which took place during the first week of classes. “The BCA and State Patrol are on scene. I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence,” he shared in a post on X.

The shooting occurred two days after classes began at this private elementary school, which has approximately 395 students. The school is connected to Annunciation Catholic Church, and both are located in a residential area southeast of Minnesota’s largest city. The children were attending the morning Mass when the shooting began, according to local media.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social that he has been “fully briefed” on the tragedy. “The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene,” he posted. “The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation.”

The White House confirmed that the president and the governor of Minnesota spoke by phone after the incident.

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