MINNEAPOLIS (BN24) — At least two children were killed and more than a dozen others injured in a shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis during a morning Mass marking the first week of the new school year, police said Tuesday. Authorities described the attack as a “deliberate act of violence,” shaking a community still reeling from recent incidents of gun violence.
Law enforcement officials confirmed the suspect is dead, though details about the individual’s identity and motive have not yet been released. Emergency services responded quickly to the scene, and a Minneapolis-area healthcare system reported it is currently treating multiple victims.
According to police, the shooter opened fire from outside the church building, shattering windows and firing directly at students and staff seated inside the chapel pews. The gunfire erupted during a religious service attended by children, teachers, and family members, turning what was meant to be a peaceful gathering into a scene of panic and chaos.
At least 17 people were reported injured, in addition to the two confirmed child fatalities. The conditions of the wounded range from critical to stable, with trauma teams working urgently to stabilize the most seriously hurt.
Authorities have not said whether the shooter had any connection to the school. Federal and local investigators are on-site, combing through evidence and interviewing witnesses, while school officials have closed the campus and canceled classes indefinitely.
The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis released a statement expressing deep sorrow and extending prayers to the victims’ families, calling the violence “a devastating blow to our community and our faith.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he is in close contact with local officials and pledged full state support for the investigation and recovery efforts. “Our hearts are broken for the families affected by this senseless tragedy,” he said.
This is the latest in a string of school-related shootings across the United States, reigniting urgent national conversations around school security, mental health, and gun control legislation.
More information is expected as authorities continue to investigate the incident and provide updates on the condition of the injured.
Credit: BBC News.com
