Tragedy at Annunciation Catholic School: Two Children Killed, 17 Injured in Minneapolis Shooting
Minneapolis, Minnesota – August 27, 2025
A gunman opened fire on children attending morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in south Minneapolis on Wednesday, killing two young students and injuring 17 others in what authorities described as a deliberate and incomprehensible act of violence. The shooting, which occurred during the first week of the school year, has left the community reeling, with parents reuniting with their children amid scenes of grief and chaos. The suspect, a man in his early 20s, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara detailed the horrific events during a press conference, stating that the attack unfolded just before 8:30 a.m. at the church attached to the pre-K through eighth-grade school. “The gunman approached the side of the building and began firing a rifle through the church windows toward the children who were sitting in the pews,” O’Hara said. Dozens of students were inside for the all-school Mass when the shooter, armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, unleashed a barrage of gunfire. Witnesses reported hearing 30 to 50 shots over several minutes, initially mistaking the sounds for fireworks or explosions. The victims included an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old who were killed while seated in the pews; their parents have been notified.
Of the 17 injured, 14 are children ranging in age from 6 to 14, with two in critical condition. Eleven patients were transported to Hennepin County Medical Center, including nine children, according to Dr. Thomas Wyatt, the hospital’s chair of emergency medicine. Children’s Minnesota hospital confirmed admitting at least five children for treatment but withheld further details to respect patient privacy. The shooter had barricaded some side doors with 2-by-4 wooden planks from the outside, suggesting premeditation, and a smoke bomb—described by police as a type of firework—was found in his vehicle. Authorities confirmed the gunman acted alone and had no extensive criminal history, though they are investigating potential motives, including information left behind by the suspect.
The incident marks the fifth school shooting in the U.S. in 2025, according to NBC News’ school shooting tracker, and comes amid a surge of violence in Minneapolis. Just 24 hours prior, on Tuesday afternoon, one person was killed and six others injured in a separate shooting outside a high school in the city, with two more fatal incidents reported shortly after. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the school shooting a “horrific act of violence,” posting on social media: “I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.” Walz noted that the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and State Patrol were on scene alongside local and federal agencies, including the FBI, ATF, and Homeland Security.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, visibly emotional during the briefing, sat on the steps of the school with his hands clasped, condemning the attack as an “unspeakable act.” “Children are dead. There are families that have a deceased child. You cannot put into words the gravity, the tragic or absolute pain of this situation,” Frey said. He rejected platitudes, adding, “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. These are kids that should be learning with their friends. They should be playing on the playground. They should be able to go to school or church in peace without the fear or risk of violence.”
President Donald Trump, briefed on the incident, posted on Truth Social: “I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!” Sources confirmed Trump spoke with Walz to offer condolences. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated on X that her department was monitoring the situation.
Eyewitness accounts paint a picture of terror. Neighbor Bill Bienemann, whose daughter attended the school from kindergarten through eighth grade, told reporters he heard the sporadic gunfire and was stunned by its volume. “I was shocked. I said, ‘There’s no way that could be gunfire.’ There was so much of it,” he said. Parishioner Renee Lego, whose two children at the school had blood on them from the chaos, described the horror: “Both my kids have blood on them. It’s just horrific—so cowardly. This person knew this was our first all-school Mass of the year. It was obviously planned.” Father Erich Rutten, a nearby priest, entered the school to comfort families, witnessing parents “wailing and crying, some stooping to the ground” in grief.
The school, dating back to 1923, had just welcomed students on Monday, with social media posts showing children in green uniforms reuniting and enjoying back-to-school activities. Students were evacuated to a reunification zone, where emotional reunions took place under heavy police presence. The K-12 School Shooting Database reports over 140 school shootings in 2025 so far, highlighting the ongoing national crisis. This incident follows a wave of hoax active shooter reports at U.S. universities last week, further heightening anxieties as the school year begins.
As investigations continue, the ATF is tracing the firearms recovered from the scene. Minneapolis City Council member Katie Cashman expressed horror, stating her office is supporting those affected. The community, including clergy and educators, is providing comfort, but the mayor emphasized the need for action beyond prayers. “These were Minneapolis families. These were American families, and the amount of pain they are suffering right now is extraordinary,” Frey said. The city urged residents to avoid the area around West 54th Street between Lyndale and Nicollet Avenues to allow emergency responders to operate.