Two children were killed and 17 more people were injured in a shooting at a Catholic school in Minnesota. Photo by Craig Lassig/EPA
Aug. 27 (UPI) — Two children were killed and more than 17 people were injured in a shooting at a Catholic school in Minnesota on Tuesday.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that two children, 8 and 10, were killed “where they sat, in the pews,” and an additional 14 students and three others were injured.
Two of the people injured in the shooting were in critical condition.
O’Hara said during a press conference that police responded around 9:30 a.m. EDT to reports of a shooting at a mass at the Annunciation Church and its school.
O’Hara said a gunman in his early 20s, equipped with a pistol, smoke bomb, shotgun and rifle, approached from the side of the building, apparently barricaded church doors from the outside and then fired “dozens of rounds” through the church windows, and both children and other worshippers were shot.
The shooter used all of his firearms in the attack, then took his own life in the rear of the church.
“Our hearts are broken for everyone affected by this tragedy,” O’Hara said, and explained that the incident is now in the preliminary stages of investigation. He said the shooter is not known to have an extensive criminal history, and his motive is yet to be determined.
Hennepin Healthcare Hospital has confirmed that nine children and two adults arrived there with gunshot wounds, four of whom were rushed into surgery. Six other children were brought to the Children’s Minnesota pediatric trauma hospital for care.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said during the conference that Americans need to think of this incident as something that affects everyone.
“Don’t just say this is about ‘thoughts and prayers’ right now” he said. “These kids were literally praying.”
