MINNEAPOLIS — A gunman opened fire Wednesday morning during a school Mass at Annunciation Catholic School and Church in southwest Minneapolis, killing at least two children and injuring as many as 20 others, authorities said.
The shooting began around 8:30 a.m. as students, staff and parishioners gathered inside the church. Witnesses reported a man dressed in black fired dozens of rounds through stained-glass windows before turning the weapon on himself, police said.
Five children were taken to nearby hospitals, some in critical condition, according to emergency officials. Families were directed to a reunification center as law enforcement secured the area.
More than 60 police units responded, along with the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The suspect was confirmed dead at the scene, and authorities said there is no further threat to the public.
“These kids were literally praying,” an emotional Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said at a news conference. “It was the first week of school. They were in a church. These are kids that should be learning with their friends, they should be playing on the playground. They should be able to go to school or church in peace without the fear or risk of violence, and their parents should have the same kind of assurance.”
Gov. Tim Walz called the incident “horrific” and said his prayers are with the victims, teachers and families of Annunciation Catholic School. President Donald Trump said he had been briefed and pledged federal support.
Community members gathered outside the parish throughout the day, many clutching rosaries and candles as they prayed for healing and peace. The entire city of Minneapolis now grieves alongside the families impacted by this devastating school shooting.
A Prayer for Annunciation Catholic School
Lord, our hearts are heavy. We cannot make sense of what happened at Annunciation Catholic School today. We see the tears of children, the anguish of parents, and the ache that runs through an entire community. And in times like this, Father, we realize how desperately we need You.
You are the God who binds up the brokenhearted. Wrap Your arms around every mother and father who wonders how they will face tomorrow. Strengthen the children. Give peace to teachers who never imagined such a day would come inside their walls.
Father, we admit our weakness. We confess we don’t have the answers. But we cling to the truth that You are still on the throne, even when our world feels shattered.
So, Lord Jesus, pour out comfort like a river. Let healing flow through hospital rooms and living rooms tonight. Stir neighbors, churches, and friends to show compassion that reflects Your love. Remind us that light still shines, even in the darkest hour.
We trust You, Father. We need You more than ever. And we pray in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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Pastor Rick Penn is an ordained pastor, writer, and the founder of Get-Prayer.com, a resource built to help believers develop a consistent, grounded prayer life.
With more than 20 years of preaching the Gospel, Pastor Rick brings deep theological training and lived pastoral experience to everything he writes. He holds a Master of Divinity from Virginia University of Lynchburg, an M.A. with a concentration in New Testament Studies from Baptist Bible Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Averett University.
His writing reflects a personal commitment to making prayer accessible to everyday Christians. Whether he is writing a prayer for someone in a hospital waiting room, walking through fear about the future, or sitting down with a blank prayer journal for the first time, Pastor Rick writes from a place of both theological grounding and pastoral care.
Pastor Rick hosts In The Moment, a Christian television program airing on Roku through AIM Christian Television. Viewers can watch the show at aimchristian.com/yourmoment and listen as a podcast on Spotify.
Before founding Get-Prayer.com, he served in the U.S. Navy, where he built his communication skills as a writer, editor, and public affairs professional. He now applies those disciplines directly to ministry and teaching.
Every article on this site reflects his core conviction: Prayer is not a performance of faith. It is the daily practice that holds everything else together.
Pastor Rick Penn is the author of all content on Get-Prayer.com.
Rick currently resides in Pennsylvania, where he continues to teach, write, and encourage believers to deepen their walk with God through prayer and the study of Scripture.
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