Neighbor describes gunfire at Minneapolis school shooting
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A shooter opened fire at a church on the south side of Minneapolis on Wednesday morning as school children were celebrating Mass at the start of the academic year.
Police and paramedics responded to Annunciation Church, located at 509 W. 54th Street, which is adjacent to a Catholic school.
Authorities have confirmed that two children were killed and 17 others were injured, 14 of them children, two of whom are in critical condition.
A witness from inside the church said the shooter “pepper-sprayed through the stained-glass windows into the building, 50 to 100 shots.”
The shooter was described as a man in his early twenties, dressed all in black and armed with a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol. No motive is known at this time, and he took his own life.
Governor Tim Walz posted on social media that he has been briefed about a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, and that agents from the BCA and troopers from the State Patrol are on scene alongside Minneapolis police.
“I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence,” Walz wrote.
Trump has spoken with Gov. Walz
President Donald Trump has spoken with Gov. Tim Walz about the shooting in Minnesota.
A source familiar with the phone call told Libbey Dean of NewsNation: “Governor Walz spoke with President Trump following the horrific shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis. President Trump called to offer his condolences to the people of Minnesota and Governor Walz thanked him for the support.”
Oliver O’Connell27 August 2025 17:20
“The sheer cruelty and cowardice, firing into a church full of children, is absolutely incomprehensible,” O’Hara said during the briefing.
Oliver O’Connell27 August 2025 17:17
All shots came from outside church
Police chief Brian O’Hara told reporters that the suspect is believed to have fired all three weapons: a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol.
He said it appears all or most of the shooting was done from outside. Police found no casings inside.
Authorities also found a smoke bomb but no explosives at the scene.
Oliver O’Connell27 August 2025 17:17
Two children in critical condition
Two young children, ages eight and 10, were killed as they sat in the pews. Their parents have been notified, Police Chief Brian O’Hara says.
17 other people were injured. 14 of them are children, and two of those children are in critical condition.
Oliver O’Connell27 August 2025 17:05
“The coward who fired these shots ultimately took his own life in the rear of the church,” says Chief Brian O’Hara.
He is believed to be in his early twenties, and a motive for the attack is not yet known.
Oliver O’Connell27 August 2025 17:03
Shooter had rifle, shotgun and pistol
Police Chief Brian O’Hara says the gunman was armed with a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol, and it was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children.
Oliver O’Connell27 August 2025 17:03
State senator ‘devastated’ for community
State Senator Zaynab Mohamed, who represents the area, said: “Our beautiful Southside was struck with horrifying gun violence this morning at Annunciation Catholic School.
“Grateful for the response by law enforcement and EMTs providing care to those in need.
“I am absolutely devastated for our community.”
In a further statement, she said: “My heart is with the parishioners of the church and the Annunciation students and their families. I know some of them personally and will make myself available to all of them to support them in any way possible.”
Mohamed called the shooting “another tragedy in what has already been a painful period for our state and community.”
“We must all condemn gun violence,” she said, “and come together to work on real solutions to prevent future tragedy.”
Oliver O’Connell27 August 2025 17:00
Recap: Three dead, 20 injured in shooting at Minneapolis Catholic school, authorities say
Three people were killed and 20 were injured in a shooting at a Catholic school in the south end of Minneapolis on Wednesday, a U.S. Justice Department official said. The shooter was among those killed, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
The shooting happened two days after the new school year started at Annunciation Catholic School, a private elementary school with about 395 students. The school is connected to Annunciation Catholic Church, both of which are situated in a residential area in the southeastern part of Minnesota’s largest city.
Police in Richfield, a nearby suburb, reported that a man dressed entirely in black with a rifle was seen at the scene.
Local media reported that children were attending a morning mass when the shooting began. Local TV showed parents ducking under yellow police crime tape and guiding students out of the school.
According to police, there have been three other shootings in the Midwestern city since Tuesday afternoon, which have collectively resulted in three deaths and seven injuries.
Oliver O’Connell27 August 2025 16:50
Oliver O’Connell27 August 2025 16:40
Watch LIVE: Officials give update after shooter opens fire on Catholic school mass in Minneapolis
Oliver O’Connell27 August 2025 16:35