At least two children were killed and more than a dozen others were injured in a shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis early Wednesday morning.
Police said a gunman opened fire while children were seated in pews during Mass. Federal, state and local authorities have responded to the attack, with local leaders condemning the act of violence.
"There are no words that can capture the horror and all the evil of this unspeakable act," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said during a news conference. "These kids were literally praying — they were in their first week of school, they were in a church."
"I'm so deeply saddened and I'm so sorry to the families that I know are suffering right now," Frey continued. "These families have forever been changed and we've all been changed with them."
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said the suspected lone shooter, a male in his 20s, opened fire through the windows of a church during an all-grades Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School, a private K-8 school on the city's southwest side.
Authorities said the school shooting was not believed to have been related to a shooting near a different school in Minneapolis on Tuesday that left one person dead.
What we know:
Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed in Wednesday's shooting, according to police. Seventeen others were injured, including 14 children, with two of them in critical condition as of midday Wednesday.
O'Hara said the preliminary investigation determined the shooter had three firearms — a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol — on him and is believed to have fired rounds from each, shooting through the windows of the church from the outside.
The shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the parking lot, O' Hara said.
The suspect has not yet been identified by name, and police said they were unaware of any extensive criminal record for the shooter.
"This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshiping," O'Hara said.
Dozens of students were in attendance at the Mass, and those who were not injured were released to their families.
Officials respond:
President Trump posted on Truth Social that he had been fully briefed on the situation and asked for prayers for those affected.
"The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene," he wrote. "The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation."
Vice President Vance wrote on X that he was also closely monitoring for updates.
"We're at the WH monitoring the situation in Minneapolis. Join all of us in praying for the victims!" he wrote.
Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D) and Tina Smith (D) each released statements on X shortly after reports of the school shooting emerged.
"My prayers are with the students, teachers, and families, and I am grateful for the first responders who are on the scene," Klobuchar wrote.
Smith wrote: "It's the first week of school. These kids should not be fearing for their lives."
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.): "We are heartbroken over the tragic violence that has occurred at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, and we send our gratitude to law enforcement and the first responders who are on the scene.
Our prayers are with the children, families, civilians, law enforcement, and all those impacted by this evil attack."
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) wrote online: "I'm praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence."
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) was holding its summer meetings in Minnesota this week.
"At this moment, we are praying for the families, the students, and the teachers at Annunciation. We are praying," DNC chair Ken Martin said. "What we know is that emergency responders are on the scene, and while we wait for more details about what happened this morning, we are sending our support to all the first responders, law enforcement officers, hospital and medical workers, and anybody who is supporting the response."
Follow live updates from The Hill on the developing story here.
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