Two children were killed in a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church during a Mass on Wednesday, Minneapolis police confirmed, with the gunman taking his own life after the attack.
Newsroom (27/08/2025, Gaudium Press ) Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, speaking at a noon press conference, called the incident an “unthinkable tragedy.” The shooting occurred during the opening Mass of the parish’s parochial school, when a lone gunman in his 20s approached the church exterior and fired through the windows with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol. “He struck children and worshippers inside the building,” O’Hara said, noting the suspect had no known criminal history. The gunman died by suicide at the scene.
“This deliberate act of violence is a sign of cruelty beyond comprehension,” O’Hara said. “Our hearts are broken for everyone affected by this tragedy.” Authorities are investigating materials left by the suspect to determine a motive.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, also at the press conference, described the attack as an “unspeakable act” of “horror and evilness.” He emphasized the victims were “literally praying” when the shooting occurred. Media reports indicate nine children were among those taken to a nearby hospital, several in critical condition.
The tragedy, which follows a separate mass shooting at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis just a day earlier, has drawn national attention. Authorities have not linked the two incidents. Mass shootings at U.S. Catholic churches remain rare, with notable prior cases including a 2002 shooting at Conception Abbey in Missouri, where three monks were killed, and a 2013 shooting at St. James the Just in Ogden, Utah, where a parishioner survived a gunshot to the head.
National and Church Leaders Respond
President Donald Trump, monitoring the situation from the White House, urged prayers for those involved. Vice President JD Vance and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar also expressed condolences. “I am heartbroken by the horrific violence,” Klobuchar wrote on X, thanking first responders.
Catholic leaders nationwide offered support. Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester called for prayers for the victims, their families, and the parish community. Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila invoked Our Lady of Sorrows, entrusting the community to her care. The New York State Catholic Conference, representing the state’s bishops, expressed devastation and prayed for an end to gun violence.
A Community in Mourning
The Annunciation shooting has left the Minneapolis community reeling, with parishioners and leaders grappling with grief and fear. The rarity of such violence in sacred spaces underscores the shock felt locally and beyond. As investigations continue, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and the traumatized parish community.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA
Related Images:
