A shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis left two young students dead and at least 17 wounded during morning Mass in the first week of school. The shooter was reported to be dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Emergency responders reported a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in south Minneapolis around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
First responders reported “at least 20 victims,” according to emergency dispatch audio. Five children are being treated at Children’s Minnesota Hospital.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said he was “deeply saddened” and “deeply sorry.”
“There are no words that can capture the horror and evil of this unspeakable act,” Frey said at a press conference outside the school. “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers — these kids were literally praying.”
Frey: And 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. pic.twitter.com/pEy8dOgr1R
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 27, 2025
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara joined Frey at the press conference, calling the shooting an “unthinkable tragedy” and a “senseless attack.”
“This deliberate act of violence is an act of cruelty that is beyond comprehension,” O’Hara told reporters. “We stand with these families and with this parish.”
O’Hara reported that the shooter opened fire on “children and worshippers” through a church window during Mass.
Two children were killed in the attack, ages 8 and 10. Seventeen others were injured, including 14 children. Two remain in critical condition.
O’Hara said that “dozens of children were inside” at the time of the shooting.
“This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children,” O’Hara said, confirming that the shooter used three weapons in the shooting: a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol.
The shooter was reported to be a male in his early 20’s, wearing “some black clothing, with cargo type pants,” according to O’Hara. The shooter had no known criminal history, and his connection to Annunciation is unknown.
Police reported finding a device resembling a “smoke bomb” at the scene.
