Imagine starting the first week of school with excitement, only to face tragedy. On Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, two children lost their lives and 17 others were injured in a shocking shooting during Mass.
Before 8:30 a.m., a shooter in his 20s approached the school's church and fired through the windows at children sitting in the pews, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said. Armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol, he turned a place of worship into a scene of horror.
An 8-year-old and a 10-year-old died. Among the injured were 14 children, two in critical condition. Shortly after the attack, the suspect took his own life in the back of the church.
Annunciation Catholic School serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade. On X, Governor Tim Walz wrote, "I'm praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence." He urged everyone to hug their loved ones a little tighter. 🙏
Later that day, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation ordering flags to half-staff to honor the victims. He confirmed on Truth Social that the FBI responded swiftly and that the White House will keep monitoring the situation.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, 286 mass shootings have occurred in the U.S. so far this year. As the Minneapolis community mourns, calls for safer schools and stronger support for families are amplifying across the nation. 💔
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
