Gunfire erupted Wednesday at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during morning mass.
The shooter fired a rifle through church windows, carrying a shotgun and a pistol.
Police confirmed the shooter killed two children, aged eight and ten, and wounded 17 others.
Officials reported authorities contained the shooter, and no active threat remained for residents.
Leaders Respond to Violence
Police chief Brian O’Hara condemned the attack as “sheer cruelty and cowardice.”
Governor Tim Walz called the incident “horrific” and prayed for students and teachers.
Children’s Minnesota admitted five victims, and Hennepin Healthcare treated additional patients.
President Donald Trump said the White House monitored the situation after receiving briefings.
Families Evacuated, Community in Shock
Authorities evacuated the school and directed families to a reunification zone.
Annunciation Catholic School, founded in 1923, had held morning mass on the first day of term.
Recent school posts showed children smiling, holding art projects, and enjoying ice pops.
The local community mourned as a joyful first week of school turned into tragedy.
Surge in Citywide Shootings
Wednesday’s school attack marked Minneapolis’ fourth fatal shooting in less than 24 hours.
Tuesday afternoon, gunfire outside a high school killed one person and wounded six others.
Two additional shootings claimed two more lives hours later.
Nationwide Hoax Alerts
At least a dozen U.S. college campuses received false shooting alerts this week.
Some alerts included recorded gunshot sounds, prompting “run, hide, fight” messages to students.
The warnings spread fear nationwide as schools reopened for the new academic year.
