A tragic shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis has left two children dead and 17 others injured, according to local authorities. The incident occurred during Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School on September 6, 2023, just days after the school year began. A man in his early 20s opened fire, wielding a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol, targeting students and attendees inside the church.
The assailant reportedly fired dozens of rounds through the church windows before taking his own life. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara condemned the act, describing it as “a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshiping.” O’Hara expressed disbelief at the “sheer cruelty and cowardice” of the act, which occurred in a space meant for safety and prayer.
The shooting took place at a private primary school affiliated with a Roman Catholic church in a residential neighborhood of Minnesota’s largest city. Local television broadcasts captured scenes of parents anxiously leading students away from the school while police secured the area with yellow crime tape.
Authorities indicated that the shooter did not have a significant criminal history, and they are currently working to determine a motive for his actions. Investigators are looking into multiple online videos that may have been posted by the assailant, as reported by sources familiar with the situation.
Local hospitals are treating 15 children and two adults, many of whom suffered gunshot wounds. In a press conference, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed his outrage, stating, “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church.”
The shooting is part of a troubling series of incidents in Minneapolis, with three other shootings reported in the city since the previous Tuesday, resulting in a total of three fatalities and seven injuries. Chief O’Hara clarified that Wednesday’s shooting does not appear to be connected to the earlier incidents.
In response to the tragedy, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had been briefed on the situation and noted that the FBI was involved. He urged the public to “please join me in praying for everyone involved!” Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that her department is in contact with local authorities and monitoring the situation closely.
Minnesota’s laws require background checks for all gun sales, and according to the gun violence prevention group Everytown for Gun Safety, the state has a gun death rate below the national average. The community is now grappling with the aftermath of this horrific event, as officials continue to investigate the details surrounding the shooting.
As the investigation unfolds, the impact of this violence ripples through the community, raising urgent questions about safety in schools and places of worship.
