Breaking: Deadly Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting Leaves Two Children Dead, 17 Injured During First Week of School Mass

Opening: Breaking news from Minneapolis reveals an unthinkable tragedy at Annunciation Catholic School, where a Mass to mark the first week of school was shattered by a deadly shooting. This deliberate act of violence has left two children confirmed dead and 17 others injured, many of them critically, sending shockwaves through the community and raising urgent questions about school safety. The incident unfolded just before 8:30 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, during a service attended by pre-K through 8th-grade students.

Dainik Realty Bureau | By: Neeraj Ahlawat August 27, 2025

A Morning of Prayer Turns to Terror in Minneapolis

The Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis became the scene of profound horror on Wednesday morning as a gunman opened fire during a Mass, an event intended to mark the first week of the new school year. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the incident as an “unthinkable tragedy” and a “deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshiping.” He further condemned the “sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children,” labelling it as “absolutely incomprehensible”. The assailant, dressed in black, approached the outside of the sanctuary and began firing a rifle through the church windows at children and worshipers sitting in the pews. This shocking act of gun violence quickly escalated, leading to a frantic emergency response and widespread grief across the city. The incident is a stark reminder of the challenges related to school safety in communities today.

The Victims: Children and Adults in Critical Condition

The tragic event resulted in the deaths of two children, aged 8 and 10, whose parents have been notified. In addition to these fatalities, at least 17 other individuals were injured, with the majority being children. Of the injured, 14 were children, and two of these pediatric patients remain in critical condition. Dr. Thomas Wyatt, Chair of Emergency Medicine at Hennepin Healthcare, confirmed that children aged 6 to 14 are being treated for injuries. At Hennepin Healthcare, nine of the 11 patients received were children, ranging in ages from 6 to 11. Four of the 11 patients at Hennepin County Medical Center required surgery, though Dr. Wyatt confirmed there had been no fatalities among the patients brought to their organization. The extensive nature of the injuries underscores the brutality of the attack, with Senator Amy Klobuchar relaying that a former staffer's daughter witnessed her friends being shot, “one in the neck, one in the stomach,” highlighting the deeply traumatic experience for survivors.

Shooter Identified as Sole Suspect; Motive Unknown

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that the shooter is dead, and authorities believe it was a single suspect, a "sole shooter". The suspect was identified as a male in his early 20s, who, according to O’Hara, “does not have an extensive known criminal history”. The gunman was armed with a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol, and investigators believe he fired “all three” weapons during the attack. Police are still actively investigating a possible motive for this deliberate act of violence. Despite initial reports of explosives at the scene, Chief O’Hara clarified that no explosives or improvised devices were found, though a “sort of firework” akin to a smoke bomb was discovered. This clarification helped to allay fears of further threats to the community, with police confirming there is no longer an ongoing threat.

Eyewitness Accounts and Community Reaction to the Tragedy

The shooting has left an indelible mark on the Minneapolis community. Senator Amy Klobuchar shared a harrowing account from the daughter of a former employee, who “literally watched her friends — some of her best friends — be shot.” Klobuchar noted that the Annunciation Catholic School is a beloved institution in the neighbourhood, serving students from pre-K through 8th grade. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed profound sorrow, stating, “Children are dead,” and urged the community to “be wrapping our arms around these families.” He powerfully dismissed offers of “thoughts and prayers,” remarking that “these kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church,” underscoring the grim irony of the attack.

Neighbours also recounted their terrifying experiences. PJ Mudd, who lives near the school, heard “incredibly loud shots,” and upon running to help, saw “red smoke” and “bullets all along the path” to the church. He also observed what appeared to be a barricade on the doors with a device attached, describing children running out “screaming and crying”. Another neighbour, Bill Bienemann, located two blocks away, heard “sporadic” gunfire, estimating 30 to 50 rounds over “several minutes,” noting it sounded like a “semi-automatic, it seemed like a rifle”. Chris Fream, whose wife works at the school and whose son is a kindergartner there, learned of the shooting via a text from his wife, saying, “We’re in lockdown, gunshots.” He described everyone as “in shock,” trying to process the unfolding situation. The intense emotions were visibly palpable at the reunification area, with distraught parents hugging and crying as they waited for their children.

Police Response and Ongoing Investigation

The initial police response was swift and urgent. Dispatch audio from Broadcastify.com captured an officer declaring a “possible active shooter” and urgently requesting “a lot more medical, a lot more medical”. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara revealed that the assailant approached on one side of the church building where at least two doors appeared to be blocked by “like a 2-by-4.” Other doors around the building were not blocked. Following the incident, students were relocated inside Annunciation Catholic School for reunification with their families. Investigators are working diligently to determine whether the shooter had any prior connection as a former student or employee of the school. As the investigation continues, the Dainik Realty Bureau will provide further updates on this developing story, focusing on the pursuit of justice and community healing in Minneapolis.

FAQs:

1. What transpired at Annunciation Catholic School? A fatal shooting occurred during a Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, marking the first week of school. Two children were killed, and 17 other individuals, primarily children, sustained injuries in what police termed a "deliberate act of violence".

2. Who was the perpetrator of the shooting? Law enforcement officials have confirmed the shooter is dead and identified as the sole suspect, a male in his early 20s. He was armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, firing through church windows from outside the building. His motive remains under investigation.

3. What is the status of the victims and their injuries? Two children, aged 8 and 10, tragically died. Of the 17 injured, 14 are children, with ages ranging from 6 to 14. Many patients are being treated at Hennepin Healthcare, with some in critical condition, and four required surgery.

4. How did the authorities respond to the incident? Police quickly arrived on the scene, with initial dispatch audio revealing an urgent call for "a lot more medical" assistance. They secured the area, confirmed the shooter was dead, and relocated students for reunification with their families. No explosives were found, contrary to initial reports.

5. What has been the community and official reaction to the tragedy? The shooting has evoked intense emotion, with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urging community support for grieving families and dismissing "thoughts and prayers" as insufficient given the children were "literally praying." Senator Amy Klobuchar highlighted the profound trauma witnessed by survivors.

Featured Image Prompt: Ultra HD news thumbnail, symbolic background of a solemn Catholic church with bullet-riddled windows, a cross faintly visible. Top yellow strip (bold black headline: MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOL SHOOTING), bottom red strip (bold white headline: TWO CHILDREN KILLED, 17 INJURED IN SHOCKING ATTACK), Style: BBC/NDTV clean design, 1200x720px, 16:9.

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