Tragic School Mass Shooting in Minneapolis: Two Children Dead, Many Hurt in Annunciation Catholic School Horror

Two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed and 14 others injured as a gunman opened fire during a Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.

Tragedy at Annunciation Catholic School: Two Children Killed and Many Injured in Minneapolis Mass Shooting

In an unspeakable horror, two young lives were lost and many more were wounded during a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School’s church in Minneapolis on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. The attack, which occurred during a school-wide Mass intended to usher in the start of the academic year, has shaken the community and reignited concerns about gun violence in places of refuge.

A Gathering Turned Nightmare

The tragedy unfolded around 8:30 a.m. CDT, just days into the new school year, as students—including those in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade—attended Mass at the school’s adjoining church . Without warning, a gunman approached the side of the building and unleashed "dozens of rounds" through the stained-glass windows, striking children and worshippers inside .

Devastating Toll

Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed while sitting in the pews . In total, 17 people were injured, among them 14 children. Two of these young victims remain in critical condition .

Medical facilities, including Hennepin County Medical Center and Children’s Minnesota, received multiple victims. At least nine children and two adults were admitted to Hennepin's emergency department, with four requiring surgery. Children’s Minnesota confirmed it admitted five children for treatment .

Shooter and Response

Authorities confirm the shooter was a man in his early 20s with no known criminal record. Armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, he fired from outside the church before fatally shooting himself at the scene . A wooden plank was used to block some of the church’s side doors, suggesting a premeditated attempt to trap those inside, and investigators also discovered a smoke bomb—though no explosives were found .

Law enforcement—including local, state, and federal agencies—responded swiftly. A reunification zone was set up nearby as families were guided to safety .

Community Reacts

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara called the shooting “a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping,” describing it as “absolutely incomprehensible” . Mayor Jacob Frey, visibly emotional, noted, “These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church.” He condemned reliance on “thoughts and prayers” as insufficient in the face of such tragedy .

Governor Tim Walz expressed sorrow over how the start of the school year had been so violently disrupted, stating he had been briefed and was “praying for our kids and teachers” . On the national level, then-President Trump said he had been fully briefed and was monitoring the situation .

A Broader Crisis

This tragedy marks one of over 140 school shootings in the United States in 2025—a stark indicator of persistent, devastating violence in educational environments . It comes just two days after another shooting in Minneapolis, amplifying fears and grief across the community .

What’s at Stake

Annunciation Catholic School—a pre-K through 8 institution traditionally known for its academic and spiritual focus—had only resumed classes the Monday before the attack. Enrollment hovers around 340 students, and the school recently highlighted its International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme and its long-standing community and international outreach .

Healing Amid Tragedy

In the wake of the shooting, city officials pledged support: Mayor Frey announced plans for a family resource center and called on the community to “wrap around the families affected” . Religious leaders and neighbors rallied around grieving families as investigators continue to search for answers.

As the community mourns, the tragedy serves as a grim reminder that violence can erupt even in the most sacred spaces—places where our children should feel safe.

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• Minneapolis school shooting
• Annunciation Catholic School
• school mass shooting
• gun violence
• back-to-school tragedy
• child safety
• Minneapolis news
• mass shooting 2025