At least two children have been killed after a gunman stormed a Catholic church in Minneapolis and opened fire as the parish school was holding its start-of-year mass.
The shooter, dressed in all black and reportedly armed with a semiautomatic weapon, ‘pepper-sprayed’ bullets through the stained glass windows at Annunciation Catholic Church this morning.
A heartbroken parent who attended the mass told The Star Tribune he fired ’50 to 100 shots’ as students and staff were sat in pews and ‘killed two kids’.
‘This is terrible,’ the parent added. ‘This is evil. I don’t know how you defend against this.’
At least 20 people are feared to have been gunned down in the incident, although authorities have not yet confirmed how many victims there are.
Multiple children have been taken to a nearby hospital, law enforcement sources told KARE. It is unclear exactly how many children have been hurt.
Minnesota state troopers, local police, FBI agents, SWAT officers, paramedics and a large number of ambulances are currently at the scene.
The gunman is dead, law enforcement sources told FOX 9. Daily Mail has approached the church and local police for further information.
The shooter stormed Annunciation Catholic Church on 54th Street around 8:30am local time.
Students at Annunciation Catholic School, where classes just started classes on Monday, were in mass at the time of the shooting.
Children’s Minnesota, a pediatric trauma hospital, said in a statement five children were admitted for care.
Hennepin Healthcare, which has Minnesota’s largest emergency department, said it also was caring for patients from the shooting.
Dozens of children are being evacuated from the church, with one nearby resident claiming many were crying and covered in blood as they were shuffled out.
Another local told the Star Tribune that he held hands with three children who suffered gunshot wounds, including one who was shot in the neck.
Children are being escorted out of the school and church by their parents, who have been permitted to enter the campus in groups of about a dozen at a time.
A reunification zone has been set up near the church so that families can be reconnected.
The City of Minneapolis said there is no active threat to the community and the shooter at Annunciation Church has been contained.
‘There is an active police situation at Annunciation Church, 509 W. 54th St. There is no active threat to the community at this time. The shooter is contained,’ the city said on X.
‘Stay away from the area to allow emergency personnel to help victims – W. 54th Street between Lyndale and Nicollet Ave.’
As police, FBI and other federal agents and ambulances converged on the school, President Donald Trump said he has been ‘fully briefed on the tragic shooting’ and that the White House will ‘continue to monitor this terrible situation’.
Governor Tim Walz added: ‘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.’
‘I’m monitoring reports of horrific violence in South Minneapolis. I’m in touch with Chief O’Hara and our emergency response team has been activated,’ Mayor Jacob Frey said.
‘We will share more information as soon as we can. Please give our officers the space they need to respond to the situation.’
Seven people were shot, one fatally, in a separate mass shooting near a Catholic high school in south Minneapolis yesterday reported Kare11.
Police said the suspect, who escaped in a vehicle and does not appear to have been arrested since, fired around 30 rounds from a high-velocity .223 rifle.
Authorities have not confirmed any connection between the shootings.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
