Minneapolis is reeling after a devastating act of violence turned a back-to-school Mass into a nightmare. On Wednesday morning (Aug. 27, 2025), gunfire tore through Annunciation Catholic School, killing two young children and leaving 17 others injured.
The shooting, which unfolded inside the sanctuary of the school’s church, shattered what should have been a day of joy and renewal. Instead, it left families grieving and a city searching for answers.
Police Confirm Young Victims
At a press conference, Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed the most heartbreaking detail: the two children who died were just eight and ten years old.
“They were sitting quietly in the pews,” O’Hara said, pausing heavily. “Their parents have been notified. This was an unthinkable tragedy, carried out by a coward.”
According to investigators, the shooter—armed with a rifle, shotgun, and handgun—fired into classroom windows before unleashing bullets inside the sanctuary, where dozens of families had gathered. He later took his own life.
Of the 17 injured, 14 were children. Two remain in critical condition.
Hospitals Overwhelmed With Young Patients
Doctors across Minneapolis scrambled to save lives in the shooting’s aftermath.
At Hennepin County Medical Center, Dr. Thomas Wyatt said 11 patients—nine children and two adults—arrived in desperate need of care. Ages ranged from six to fourteen.
“Four required immediate surgery,” Dr. Wyatt said, adding that, thankfully, “no further deaths occurred among those admitted.”
Meanwhile, Children’s Minnesota Hospital confirmed it was also treating five young patients injured during the assault.
Leaders React to the Tragedy
Mayor Jacob Frey spoke with raw emotion. “Children are dead. Families have lost their babies,” he said. “As a city, we must rally around those enduring unimaginable loss.”
Governor Tim Walz pledged state support, saying he had been briefed and would continue providing updates.
On social media, President Donald Trump asked Americans to “pray for the families affected.”
Witness Accounts: “It’s Just Horrific”
For parents inside Annunciation Catholic School, the day quickly descended into terror.
Renee Lego, a parishioner whose children were in the building, recalled the panic: “It’s just horrific—so cowardly,” she said. “At first, my kids thought the gunfire was fireworks.”
The sound of gunshots inside a house of worship stunned even longtime residents of Minneapolis, a city already scarred by recent gun violence.
A City Under Siege by Gun Violence
The attack was the fourth shooting in Minneapolis within 24 hours, underscoring the growing crisis.
Nationwide, more than 140 school shootings have already been reported in 2025—putting the year on pace to be among the deadliest in U.S. history for gun violence in schools.
For Minneapolis, the pain is personal and immediate. Grief counselors are being dispatched to schools, churches, and hospitals to support students and families grappling with trauma.
Searching for Healing and Answers
As investigators piece together a motive, the community’s focus turns to mourning—and survival. Vigils are already being planned across the city, and Annunciation Catholic School has canceled all classes until further notice.
For many, the tragedy raises familiar and painful questions: Why are children still dying in classrooms? What will it take to end the cycle of school shootings?
Chief O’Hara’s words echoed through a grieving city: “Two children are gone forever. We cannot allow this to keep happening.”
✨ Key Takeaways:
- Two children (ages 8 and 10) killed in Minneapolis Catholic school shooting.
- 17 others injured—14 of them children, two in critical condition.
- Shooter opened fire inside sanctuary before taking his own life.
- Fourth Minneapolis shooting in 24 hours, part of nationwide surge in school gun violence.
Community Question: What steps do you believe schools, cities, or lawmakers must take now to protect children from gun violence?