The Annunciation Catholic School attack claimed the lives of two young students, aged 8 and 10, and injured 17 others, including 14 children.

Law enforcement officers gather outside the Annunciation Church in response to a reported mass shooting, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis.(AP)

A devastating mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis left the community reeling on August 27. The attack, which occurred during a school-wide Mass at Annunciation Catholic School, claimed the lives of two young students, aged 8 and 10, and injured 17 others, including 14 children.

In a heartfelt response, Mac’s Fish and Chips, a restaurant located directly across from the church at 610 West 54th St., stepped up to support the grieving community by offering free meals, drinks, and a space to gather.

Details about the shooting

The shooting took place when students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade gathered for a traditional all-school Mass. Around 8:30 AM, a gunman in his early 20s, dressed in black and armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, opened fire through the church’s stained-glass windows, targeting children and worshippers inside. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the act as “absolutely incomprehensible,” noting the shooter barricaded doors with wooden planks before firing dozens of rounds. The gunman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the church parking lot.

A gunman opened fire during Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, killing two children and injuring 17 others, 14 of them kids. The suspect, a man in his early 20s, died by suicide inside the church. Authorities said the attack came just two days into the new school year.

Law enforcement officers gather outside Annunciation Church following a mass shooting event, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., August 27, 2025. REUTERS/Tim Evans(REUTERS)

A gunman opened fire during Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, killing two children and injuring 17 others before taking his own life, authorities said.

Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the suspect, a man in his early 20s armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, approached the side of the adjoining church and fired through windows at children seated in the pews. Fourteen of the injured are children, including two in critical condition.“The shooter targeted kids as they prayed,” O’Hara told reporters. “This is one of the darkest days this city has ever seen.”The suspect, who died by suicide inside the rear of the church, has not been publicly identified. O’Hara said he did not have an extensive criminal history.The incident unfolded inside the church compound, which also houses an elementary school with students from preschool through eighth grade. The shooting took place just two days after the start of the new school year.

The incident began shortly before 8:30 a.m. at Annunciation Church and Catholic School on West 54th Street, where the K-8 school was holding its daily 8:15 a.m. mass. Emergency crews reported at least 14 people shot, including two pronounced dead at the scene, though city officials have yet to confirm the number of casualties.

The City of Minneapolis later said the shooter had been contained and there was “no active threat to the community”. “The families of children at the school can go to the reunification zone at the Annunciation School,” the city said in a post on X.

Police, paramedics, state patrol, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) secured the area. Families of students were directed to a reunification zone at the school.

Authorities have not released details about the suspect’s condition or a possible motive.

Governor, Mayor react

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he had been briefed on the shooting and was “praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also called the incident “horrific violence,” noting that the city’s emergency response team had been activated.

Walz wrote on X: “I’ve been briefed on a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and will continue to provide updates as we get more information. The BCA and State Patrol are on scene. I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.”

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement that the department is monitoring the situation and remains in contact with local authorities.

Officials are expected to release further updates as the investigation continues.

The Annunciation Catholic School attack claimed the lives of two young students, aged 8 and 10, and injured 17 others, including 14 children.

Law enforcement officers gather outside the Annunciation Church in response to a reported mass shooting, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis.(AP)

A devastating mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis left the community reeling on August 27. The attack, which occurred during a school-wide Mass at Annunciation Catholic School, claimed the lives of two young students, aged 8 and 10, and injured 17 others, including 14 children.

In a heartfelt response, Mac’s Fish and Chips, a restaurant located directly across from the church at 610 West 54th St., stepped up to support the grieving community by offering free meals, drinks, and a space to gather.

Details about the shooting

The shooting took place when students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade gathered for a traditional all-school Mass. Around 8:30 AM, a gunman in his early 20s, dressed in black and armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, opened fire through the church’s stained-glass windows, targeting children and worshippers inside. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the act as “absolutely incomprehensible,” noting the shooter barricaded doors with wooden planks before firing dozens of rounds. The gunman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the church parking lot.

Of the 17 injured, 14 are children, with two in critical condition. Hennepin County Medical Center received 11 patients, including nine children aged 6 to 14, four of whom required surgery for gunshot wounds from a high-velocity weapon. The tragedy has left parents, teachers, and neighbors in shock, with many describing scenes of chaos as children were evacuated, some covered in blood.Mac’s Fish and Chips steps upIn the wake of this tragedy, Mac’s Fish and Chips, located just across the street from Annunciation Catholic Church, announced via email, “Please let as many people in the area know that they can use our space. Restrooms, beverages, meals on us.”This gesture aims to provide comfort and support to families, first responders, and community members affected by the shooting.