{"id":28691,"date":"2025-08-27T13:02:31","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T17:02:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/?p=28691"},"modified":"2025-08-27T13:04:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T17:04:13","slug":"gunman-opens-fire-at-minneapolis-catholic-school-mass-killing-2-children-injuring-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2025\/08\/gunman-opens-fire-at-minneapolis-catholic-school-mass-killing-2-children-injuring-17","title":{"rendered":"Gunman Opens Fire at Minneapolis Catholic School Mass, Killing 2 Children and Injuring 17"},"content":{"rendered":"
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KARE 11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two children, ages 8 and 10, were shot and killed as they sat in packed pews during a morning Mass at their Catholic school in Minneapolis on Wednesday, police said.<\/p>\n

The gunman, armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, opened fire through the church windows at Annunciation Catholic School, striking children and worshippers inside before taking his own life behind the church, according to authorities.<\/p>\n

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O\u2019Hara called the act an \u201cincomprehensible\u201d display of cruelty. \u201cDuring 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,\u201d O\u2019Hara said. \u201cShooting through the windows, he struck children and worshipers that were inside the building. The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible.\u201d<\/p>\n

In all, 17 people were wounded, 14 of them children. Two of those remain in critical condition. Families of the two children who were killed have been notified.<\/p>\n

Mayor Jacob Frey spoke through tears at a press briefing, urging the city to stand with the grieving families. \u201cThere are no words that can capture the horror and the evil of this unspeakable act,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are a Minneapolis family. But to everybody out there, do not think of these as just somebody else\u2019s kids. Those families are suffering immense pain right now. Think of this as if it were your own. Every one of us needs to be wrapping our arms around these families, giving them every ounce that we can muster.\u201d<\/p>\n

Parents rushed to the scene after hearing the news, many of them embracing their children as they were evacuated. A reunification zone was set up nearby where families were brought back together. One neighbor told Fox 9 the sound of gunfire was so constant, they initially thought it was construction noise.<\/p>\n

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called it a horrific day for the state. \u201cI\u2019ve been briefed on a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School. I\u2019m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.\u201d<\/p>\n

President Donald Trump also responded, saying he had been \u201cfully briefed\u201d and that federal authorities, including the FBI, were on the scene. \u201cThe White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!\u201d<\/em> he wrote on Truth Social.<\/p>\n

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the tragedy as a \u201cheinous attack\u201d<\/em> and confirmed that DHS is monitoring the situation. The ATF\u2019s St. Paul office confirmed agents were assisting Minneapolis police.<\/p>\n

Annunciation Catholic School, founded in 1923, serves nearly 400 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Wednesday\u2019s Mass was meant to mark the beginning of a new school year. Instead, it has become a day of mourning.<\/p>\n

Chief O\u2019Hara said officers are continuing to investigate the shooter\u2019s background but believe he acted alone. His name has not yet been released.<\/p>\n

As the city searches for answers, faith leaders and residents alike are turning to prayer. Even in the shadow of tragedy, many are holding fast to the promise that God is near. As Scripture reminds us, \u201cThe Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit\u201d (Psalm 34:18).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Two children, ages 8 and 10, were shot and killed as they sat in packed pews during a morning Mass at their Catholic school in Minneapolis on Wednesday, police said. The gunman, armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, opened fire through the church windows at Annunciation Catholic School, striking children and worshippers inside before…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":462,"featured_media":28694,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28691","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nGunman Opens Fire at Minneapolis Catholic School Mass, Killing 2 Children and Injuring 17<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Two children were killed and 17 injured after a gunman opened fire during Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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