A routine morning of prayer at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis turned into tragedy on Wednesday when gunfire erupted inside the building. Authorities say two children were killed, 14 others were wounded, and three elderly parishioners were also injured before the violence ended.
The attack occurred just after 8:30 a.m., as students and staff gathered for their daily prayers. Within moments, the sanctuary was filled with chaos as teachers shielded students, frantic parents rushed to the scene, and law enforcement secured the campus. “It all happened so fast — children were terrified, parents were desperate to find their kids,” one witness said.
By late morning, the school grounds had transformed into a crisis center. Police vehicles lined the street, counselors comforted distraught families, and community members arrived carrying flowers and candles. Vigils are already being planned across the city as residents grapple with the enormity of the loss.
The shooting has left Minneapolis shaken. Annunciation, long known as a place of safety and community, is now marked by grief and unanswered questions. “You never expect something like this at a school, especially a place of prayer,” one neighbor said. “It breaks your heart.”
Authorities confirmed that the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was armed with multiple firearms, including a rifle, pistol, and shotgun. Investigators are still working to determine a motive and how the attack was planned.
For families who lost children, the pain is immeasurable. For survivors, the road to healing will be long. As one resident put it: “Our whole city feels this. We’re mourning together.”
