2 children and gunman dead after shooting at Minneapolis church; 17 others injured

The Minnesota Star Tribune on Aug 27, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

MINNEAPOLIS — Two children were killed in a shooting Wednesday at Annunciation Church in south Minneapolis. The gunman is also dead, law enforcement said.

Witnesses reported several children were shot during a school Mass. First responders said there were “at least 20 victims,” according to emergency dispatch audio. Nearby residents reported lengthy gunfire, and a huge law enforcement response surrounded the area.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara gave a news conference to offer additional details about the deadly shooting.

“During the Mass, the gunman approached on the outside, on the side of the building, and began firing a rifle through the church windows towards the children sitting in the pews at the Mass. Shooting through the windows, he struck children and worshippers that were inside the building.”

The shooter was armed with a rifle, shotgun and a pistol, O'Hara said. Believed to be in his early 20s, the gunman took his own life in the rear of the church, O’Hara said. Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed in the pews. Seventeen people were injured, 14 of them children. Two are in critical condition.

“This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshiping” O’Hara said.

Helen Corkran, director of pastoral care at the school, said the new school year began Monday and that Wednesday was the first children’s Mass of the new school year, which typically takes place every Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. and lasts for about 30 minutes. Corkran said the church recently celebrated it’s 100th anniversary. “It’s a good school. There are wonderful people there.”

She said nothing unusual has happened in the days preceding the shooting — no incidents or police visits. “It was the first children’s Mass of the new school year,” Corkran said.

Mayor Jacob Frey and addressed members of the media and neighbors. “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school,” Frey said. “Every one of us needs to be wrapping our arms around these families giving them every ounce that we muster. These were Minneapolis families. These were American families,” Frey said.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz spoke with President Donald Trump on Wednesday morning about the shooting, according to a source familiar with the call. Trump called to offer his condolences to Minnesotans, the source said, and Walz thanked him for his support.

_____