On a morning that should have marked a hopeful beginning for Minneapolis schoolchildren, tragedy struck at Annunciation Catholic School and Church, located at 525 W. 54th St. in south Minneapolis. Just after 8:27 a.m. on August 27, 2025, gunfire erupted as students and staff gathered for morning Mass, transforming a sacred space into the scene of a mass shooting that would leave the community reeling.
According to FOX 9 and multiple local sources, the shooter, a man in his early 20s dressed in black, approached the church from outside and began firing a rifle through the windows as children and worshipers sat in the pews. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the attack as "a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshiping." The gunman, also armed with a shotgun and pistol, ultimately took his own life in the rear of the church. Police said he did not have an extensive criminal history, and investigators are still searching for a motive.
The carnage was devastating. Two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed as they sat among their classmates. Seventeen others were injured, including 14 children ranging in age from 6 to 14. Four of the wounded required immediate surgery, and at least two children remained in critical condition as of Wednesday afternoon, according to hospital officials cited by FOX 9. The Associated Press also reported that five children were being treated at a Minneapolis hospital following the attack. In total, approximately 20 people were listed as victims, with 12 transported to hospitals for urgent care. The sheer scale of the violence—on what was only the third day of the school year for Annunciation’s kindergarten through eighth-grade students—left families and first responders shaken.
Neighbors near the intersection of 54th and Lyndale described hearing so much gunfire that, at first, they didn’t recognize it as a shooting. Some assumed the noise was from construction or roofing work, a chilling testament to the rapid, overwhelming nature of the attack. Within minutes, the area was swarming with emergency responders. More than 65 police units, including the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, State Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI, and Homeland Security, converged on the scene. The response was massive and swift, aiming to contain the threat and tend to the wounded.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was among the officials who arrived quickly, visibly shaken by what he called an "unspeakable act." Frey told reporters, "Children are dead. Children and families should be able to go to school and church without fear. Don’t say this is about thoughts and prayers right now, these kids were literally praying." His words echoed the frustration and heartbreak felt throughout the city. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara added, "The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible."
Governor Tim Walz expressed his sorrow and solidarity on social media, writing, "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." President Donald Trump, too, responded swiftly, posting on Truth Social, "I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI quickly responded, and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!"
As the immediate threat subsided, the City of Minneapolis assured residents that there was no ongoing danger to the community. "There is no active threat to the community at this time. The shooter is contained," the city posted on X (formerly Twitter). Parents were allowed to reunite with their children at a designated reunification zone at the school, a small comfort in the wake of chaos. Hennepin Healthcare, which operates Minnesota’s largest emergency department, confirmed it was caring for eleven patients from the shooting, including two adults and nine children. Four of these patients required surgery, and the hospital’s emergency team worked tirelessly to stabilize the injured.
Authorities also investigated reports that an explosive device might have been placed inside the church, though details about this aspect remained under investigation as of Wednesday afternoon. The gunman’s vehicle was located and searched for further evidence. Minneapolis Council member Katie Cashman summed up the city’s mood, stating, "I am absolutely horrified by the events unfolding this morning, and our office is here to support those who need it. This is a time to hold your loved ones close and check in with each other."
This shooting was not an isolated incident for the city. Less than 24 hours earlier, Minneapolis had witnessed another mass shooting near 29th Street East and Clinton Avenue, where a man armed with a .223 rifle opened fire on a group, killing one person and injuring six others. Three of those victims suffered life-threatening injuries, though all were expected to survive, according to KNSI and local police reports. The rapid succession of violence has left Minneapolis on edge, with officials and residents alike searching for answers and solutions.
The attack at Annunciation Catholic School and Church stands out not only for its brutality but also for its targeting of children at worship. The details are harrowing: a gunman firing through church windows as young students prayed, parents rushing to the scene in terror, and first responders navigating a scene of chaos and heartbreak. The city’s emergency response was robust, but no amount of preparation could soften the blow to families and the broader community.
As investigations continue, authorities from local, state, and federal agencies are piecing together the shooter’s background and possible motives. The community, meanwhile, is left to grieve and to grapple with the reality that even the most sacred spaces can be shattered by violence. The hope, voiced by leaders and parents alike, is that the memory of those lost will prompt action and reflection, so that schools and churches can once again be places of safety and peace for Minneapolis’s children.
