Minneapolis, MN – August 27, 2025 – A wave of brutal shootings has swept through Minneapolis, leaving communities shattered and families mourning. The most devastating of these incidents unfolded at Annunciation Catholic School, where a lone gunman unleashed chaos during a school Mass, killing two young students and wounding many others. This tragedy, coupled with other recent shootings, has cast a dark shadow over the city, prompting urgent calls for change.
Horror at Annunciation Catholic School
On Wednesday morning, August 27, 2025, a gunman in his early 20s armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol fired through the windows of Annunciation Catholic Church during an all-school Mass. The attack targeted children seated in pews, killing two and injuring 17, including 14 students aged 6 to 14. The shooter, who police say acted alone, died by suicide behind the church. A smoke bomb was found at the scene, but no explosives were present.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara called the act “a calculated assault on our most vulnerable,” noting the profound cruelty of targeting children during their first week of school. Hennepin Healthcare treated 11 victims, with four children requiring surgery. The community is reeling from the loss at this historic prekindergarten through eighth-grade school, founded in 1923. Authorities set up a reunification center at 525 W. 54th St., urging families to avoid the church at 509 W. 54th St. to aid emergency efforts.
Governor Tim Walz described the event as “an unthinkable tragedy,” while Mayor Jacob Frey, visibly emotional, remarked, “These children were in prayer, starting their school year. This is beyond comprehension.” Local residents, like Sarah Thompson, who lives nearby, recounted hearing rapid gunfire that “felt like it wouldn’t stop.” Her neighbor, 17-year-old Marcus Lee, a former Annunciation student, said, “This is my community. It feels like nowhere is safe anymore.”
A City Under Siege
The school shooting followed a string of violent incidents that began Tuesday afternoon, August 26, 2025. At around 1:30 p.m., a shooter fired roughly 30 high-velocity .223 rounds near East 29th Street and Clinton Avenue South, close to Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. The attack left one man dead and six others injured, including three in critical condition. Police believe the shooting was targeted, and the suspect fled in a vehicle. No arrests have been made, but investigators are following promising leads.
Later that evening, around 8 p.m., another shooting in the Whittier neighborhood near 27th Street and 3rd Avenue South claimed one life and left another person wounded. Early Wednesday, a third incident downtown on the 800 block of Hennepin Avenue resulted in one man’s death and another’s injury. While police have not linked the shootings, Chief O’Hara called the 24-hour death toll “staggering,” with three fatalities and eight injuries across the city.
Community in Mourning, Leaders Respond
The relentless violence has left Minneapolis residents grappling with fear and grief. Emily Carter, a parent near Annunciation, said, “My kids walk those streets. How do I explain this to them?” Teenager Layla Robinson, who knows students at the school, added, “It’s hard to feel safe when this happens where we learn and pray.”
Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith expressed profound sorrow, with Klobuchar sharing a personal connection through a staffer whose child witnessed the school shooting. President Donald Trump and Governor Walz confirmed federal and state support, with the FBI assisting on the ground. Mayor Frey urged the city to unite, saying, “We can’t just mourn. We need answers and action to stop this cycle.”
A Call for Change
These shootings follow other high-profile incidents in Minneapolis, including the June 2025 murders of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the targeting of a state senator and his wife. As the city confronts this latest wave of violence, police are appealing for public tips to aid investigations. The Annunciation tragedy has reignited debates over school safety and gun laws, with community leaders demanding solutions to protect the city’s future.
Minneapolis now faces the challenge of healing while seeking justice and prevention. For updates or to share information, contact the Minneapolis Police Department or follow local news sources.
Sources: Information drawn from reports by FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, MPR News, Yahoo News, KIRO 7 News Seattle, and the Associated Press, accessed on August 27, 2025.
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