Minneapolis, U.S ā A gunman opened fire Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School in South Minneapolis, prompting a massive police response and leaving the community shaken at the start of the new school year. Authorities have not yet confirmed how many people were injured or killed, though officials stressed that the shooter was quickly contained and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The shooting erupted during a morning Mass inside the adjoining church, attended by students in pre-K through eighth grade. Around 9:20 a.m., Minneapolis police issued a citywide alert declaring the scene secured. Within minutes, more than 60 law enforcement units from the Minneapolis Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, FBI, ATF, and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension converged on the school grounds alongside paramedics and fire personnel.
Governor Tim Walz described the incident as a āhorrific act of violenceā and said he had been briefed by law enforcement. Mayor Jacob Frey confirmed the cityās emergency operations team had been activated and urged the public to stay clear of the area. Both officials emphasized that information about possible victims would be released only after families had been notified.
Parents rushed to the neighborhood as news spread, many waiting anxiously behind police tape for word of their children. School officials have not issued a detailed statement, but buses were seen moving students to a reunification site. Witness accounts suggest panic broke out as shots rang out during the service, with teachers moving quickly to shepherd students to safety.
The first week of the academic year had been underway only days, underscoring the vulnerability of schools during a time meant for new beginnings. While investigators continue to process the crime scene and interview witnesses, city leaders are preparing for a longer conversation about school security, gun violence, and community resilience in Minnesota.
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