BREAKING: Shooting at Minneapolis Catholic School Results in 3 Dead, 17 Injured

Photo: NBC News

EDITOR'S NOTE: Since the publishing of this article, the Union of Orthodox Journalists has learned of a prayer request from Fr. Timothy Sas of St. Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis. Please pray for a 12-year-old girl, Sophia, a Greek Orthodox Christian who is a victim of the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School. Sophia recently left surgery and is in extremely critical condition. May our Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on all of the victims and heal them.

MINNEAPOLIS — Two children are dead and 17 others are wounded following a shooting that took place during Wednesday morning mass at Annunciation Catholic School as students were beginning their first week of classes. 

According to reporting from the AP, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said the shooter was armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol and approached the side of the church, shooting through the windows toward the children sitting in the pews before killing himself.

Officials are looking into the motive of the man described as "in his early 20s" who "does not have an extensive known criminal history."

The children who died were 8 and 10 years of age. Other children are being treated at Children's Minnesota and Hennepin Healthcare.

"This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping," O'Hara said. "The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible."

In a post on X, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said that he had been briefed on the shooting.

"I'm praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence," he concluded.

President Donald Trump also said that he had been fully briefed on the shooting, and shared that the FBI is on the scene.

"The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation," he said. "Please join me in praying for everyone involved!"

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