NEWTOWN, Conn. – A gunman opened fire on young children sitting in pews as they attended back-to-school mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota today, killing two children aged 8 and 10, and wounding at least 17 other people, 14 of which were children.
The shooter, described as an individual in their early twenties, died by suicide at the scene. They were armed with a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol. The attacker fired from outside of the building, through the windows of the church.
This is the first week of the new school year for Annunciation Catholic School.
Early reports indicate that numerous warning signs may have been present in the attacker’s life, including online video postings, writings, references to suicide and school shootings, images of weapons, and other threats. Had these warning signs been recognized and taken seriously, they could have provided an opportunity for intervention. Warning signs include thoughts, actions, and behaviors that signal that an individual may be considering causing harm to themselves or others. Gun violence is preventable when everyone knows the signs.
In response to this heinous attack, Nicole Hockley, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, issued the following statement:
“Two precious children, just 8 and 10 years old, were shot and killed at their school in Minnesota this morning, with reports of at least 17 more injured. This is a time of year when children should be focused on the excitement of heading back to school, and all the typical butterflies and jitters that come this time of year. Instead, they’re met with unspeakable horror that no one should ever have to experience.
“As a mom whose son was killed in his first-grade classroom, I understand the unbearable pain these families are now living. My heart is with them in their grief – and I am also filled with anger. Our children deserve more than moments of silence, thoughts and prayers. They deserve action.
“How many more children must die before we act? Our kids deserve to be safe in their classrooms and communities, and free from gun violence. Back-to-school is a special time of year, one that should be filled with excitement and a sense of hope for what the year holds for our children – what they will learn, what friends they will make, what they will discover about themselves, how they will grow. We cannot accept these acts of senseless violence as normal. We cannot let their lives, and all lives taken by gun violence, to simply fade into another headline. We can and must do more to keep our kids safe.
“Today, I stand with the families, the community of Annunciation Catholic School, and our entire nation in grieving this senseless violence. And tomorrow – and every day after – I will stand in determination and in outrage until the killing of our children ends.”
Mark Barden, co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, issued the following statement:
“No community is ever prepared for the unbearable pain and trauma caused by an event like this. This is something that we don’t have to accept and endure – prevention is possible when we come together to take action.
“As the investigation into this attack unfolds, we encourage law enforcement to discover what kind of warning signs were present leading up to today. In the majority of school shootings, warning signs precede the act of violence. When people are able to recognize these signs and seek help, tragedy can be prevented. That is how we can save lives and end this terrible epidemic in our nation.
“The victims and their loved ones deserve that from us. They deserve to know that we will take action to spare more families and communities from this horrible trauma and save the lives of children.”
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least six mass shootings in Minnesota since the start of 2025, including today’s tragedy. Firearms are the fourth leading cause of death among youth in Minnesota, based on most recent available finalized data from CDC.
For more information about proven programs that prevent violence, as well as resources for communities, and information about ways to support life-saving firearm access policies, please visit sandyhookpromise.org.
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Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
Media Contact:
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