On Wednesday, the shooter started during the Mass at the Catholic School of Annunciation in Minneapolis, killed two children and injured 17 others before taking his own life, the authorities said.
Police chief Brian O’Hara said that a suspect, a man at his early 20 years armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol, approached the side of the neighboring church and fired through the windows on children sitting in the benches. Fourteen injured are children, including two in a critical condition.
“The shooter focused on children when they prayed,” O’Hara told reporters. “This is one of the darkest days the city ever seen.”
The suspect, who died by suicide inside the back of the church, was not publicly identified. O’Hara said he had no extensive criminal history.
The incident developed within the church component, which also houses a primary school with pre -school students to the eighth grade. The shooting took place only two days after the start of the new school year.
The incident began shortly before 8:30 in the Church of the Annunciation and the Catholic School at West 54th Street, where the K-8 school held the 8:15 Mass. The emergency crews reported at least 14 people, including two dead on the scene, although the city officials still have to confirm the number of victims.
The city of Minneapolis later said that the shooter was detained and there was no “active threat to the community”. “Families of children at school can go to the zone of unification at the Announcement School,” the city said in a post on X.
The area was provided by police, rescuers, state patrol and minnesota Bureau of Criminal (BCA). Families of students were directed to the unification zone at school.
The authorities did not publish details of the state of the suspect or possible motive.
Governor, Mayor of React
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he was informed of the shooting and “praying for our children and teachers whose first school week was disrupted by this terrible act of violence”. Mayor Minneapolis Jacob Frey also described the incident as “terrible violence”, noting that the team was activated for reaction to emergency situations in the city.
Walz wrote about X: “I was informed about shooting at the Catholic School of Annunciation and we will continue to provide updates because we are getting more information. BCA and the state patrol are on the scene. I pray for our children and teachers whose first week of the school was disrupted.”
Frey also dealt with the developing situation and said, “I watch reports of terrible violence in southern minneapolis. I am in contact with Chief O’hara and our team of reaction to emergency situations has been activated. We will share more information as soon as possible.
Internal Security Minister Kristi Noem said in a statement that the ministry monitors the situation and remains in contact with local authorities.
Officials are expected to publish further updates on how the investigation will continue.
(Tagstotranslate) Annunciation
