Gunfire erupted Wednesday at Annunciation Catholic School during morning mass, killing two students and wounding 17 others.
Police confirmed the shooter carried a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, and opened fire through the church windows.
The shooter then took his own life. Authorities reported no ongoing threat to residents.
Officials Respond and Condemn
Police Chief Brian O’Hara called the attack “sheer cruelty and cowardice” at a press briefing.
Governor Tim Walz described the shooting as “horrific” and prayed for students and teachers.
Children’s Minnesota admitted five victims, while Hennepin Healthcare treated additional patients from the scene.
President Donald Trump said he received briefings and promised continued monitoring from the White House.
Families and School Evacuated
Officials evacuated the school and guided families to a reunification zone on campus.
Annunciation Catholic School, founded in 1923, held a morning mass on the first day of term.
Social media showed children enjoying back-to-school events, summer art, and ice pops before the attack.
Escalating Gun Violence in Minneapolis
This shooting followed three other fatal shootings in the city within 24 hours.
Tuesday saw one killed and six injured outside a Minneapolis high school.
Hours later, two additional people died in separate shootings elsewhere in the city.
Hoax Threats Spread Nationwide
Authorities reported hoax shootings at over a dozen U.S. college campuses.
Some fake calls included recorded gunshot sounds, prompting “run, hide, fight” alerts to students.
The false warnings spread fear as the academic year began nationwide.
