Tragedy Strikes Annunciation Catholic School: A Community Mourns
A tragic incident occurred at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, where a shooter opened fire during Mass, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuries to 17 others before taking his own life. The shooting took place on the first day of classes, with 14 children among the injured, two of whom were in critical condition. This devastating event comes amidst the start of the school year in the U.S., with some universities facing false alarms about school shootings.
The victims of the shooting were 8 and 10 years old, fatally shot while attending Mass in the church pews during the school's first week. The hospital treated 11 patients, including nine children aged 6 to 14. Children's Minnesota, a pediatric trauma center, admitted five children for care. The shooter, armed with multiple weapons, fired into the church from outside before taking his own life in the parking lot.
Annunciation Catholic School, established in 1923, had 391 students enrolled for the 2023-24 school year, with two classes per grade level. The school, located in the Windom neighborhood of Minneapolis, emphasizes Christian values and civic-mindedness in its curriculum. President Donald Trump expressed condolences for the victims and pledged to monitor the situation closely.
In a separate incident near Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, one person was killed and six others were injured in what authorities believe was a targeted shooting. The two shootings are not believed to be connected, with the police chief indicating that the incident near Cristo Rey involved a group of adults and did not involve anyone from the school. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.