Gunfire erupted Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during first-day-of-term mass.
The shooter fired through church windows with a rifle, carrying a shotgun and pistol.
Police confirmed he killed two children, aged eight and ten, and wounded 17 others.
Authorities said they contained the shooter, who then killed himself, ending the immediate threat.
Officials Condemn Attack
Police chief Brian O’Hara called the attack “sheer cruelty and cowardice” at a press briefing.
Governor Tim Walz described the shooting as “horrific” and prayed for children and teachers.
Children’s Minnesota admitted five victims, while Hennepin Healthcare treated additional patients from the incident.
President Donald Trump confirmed he received briefings and said federal authorities would continue monitoring.
Families Evacuated
Officials evacuated the school and directed students’ families to a reunification zone.
Annunciation Catholic School, established in 1923, had held its morning mass for pre-K through 13-year-olds.
Recent posts showed children smiling at back-to-school events, holding summer art, and enjoying ice pops.
Families and staff now face grief after a violent start to the academic year.
Violence Escalates Across City
Tuesday saw a shooting outside a Minneapolis high school, killing one person and wounding six.
Hours later, two more shootings in the city claimed two additional lives.
Authorities also responded to hoax shooting calls at over a dozen U.S. colleges.
Fake threats often included gunshot sounds, prompting “run, hide, fight” alerts and widespread student fear.
