Gunfire erupted Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School during mass.
The shooter fired a rifle through church windows and carried a shotgun and pistol.
Police confirmed two children, aged eight and ten, died, while 17 others suffered injuries.
Authorities contained the shooter, who killed himself, leaving no active threat in the area.
Officials React to Tragedy
Police chief Brian O’Hara condemned the attack as “sheer cruelty and cowardice.”
Governor Tim Walz called the shooting “horrific” and prayed for students and teachers.
Children’s Minnesota admitted five victims, while Hennepin Healthcare treated additional injured students.
President Donald Trump confirmed he received briefings and pledged continued federal monitoring.
Families Evacuated, Community in Shock
Authorities evacuated the school and guided families to a reunification zone.
Annunciation Catholic School, founded in 1923, had hosted a morning mass on the first day.
Social media showed children smiling at back-to-school events and enjoying summer art projects.
Parents and students now face grief after a violent intrusion into their school day.
Rising Gun Violence in Minneapolis
This incident marked the city’s fourth fatal shooting in less than 24 hours.
Tuesday afternoon, gunfire outside a high school killed one and wounded six.
Later, two additional shootings claimed two more lives in the city.
Nationwide, hoax school shooting calls, sometimes including fake gunshot sounds, spread fear among students.
Universities sent “run, hide, fight” alerts as campuses scrambled to respond to false threats.
