A gunman has opened fire at Annunciation Church and Catholic School in Minneapolis during morning mass, with multiple news sources reporting at least two people dead and approximately 20 injured in what authorities have declared a mass casualty event.
The shooting began at approximately 8:27 a.m. on Wednesday at the church located at 509 West 54th Street in south Minneapolis. Sources report that children from the kindergarten through eighth-grade school were attending an all-school mass at 8:15 a.m. when the shooting began.
According to KNSI radio, officials have confirmed two fatalities and approximately 20 victims so far, with four people listed in critical condition. BNO News reported that at least 14 people had been shot, citing crews at the scene. The Minneapolis Police Department’s 911 dashboard showed more than 65 units responded to the scene.
Witnesses described hearing sustained gunfire that lasted between 45 seconds and a minute. One neighbour told FOX 9 they heard so much gunfire they initially thought it was someone roofing a house and didn’t immediately call emergency services.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed he had been briefed on the shooting, posting on social media: “The BCA and State Patrol are on scene. I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said he was “monitoring reports of horrific violence in South Minneapolis” and confirmed the city’s emergency response team had been activated. “I’m in touch with Chief O’Hara and our emergency response team has been activated. We will share more information as soon as we can,” Frey stated.
Multiple federal agencies have responded to the scene. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) confirmed its agents were responding to “reports of an active shooter situation at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis.” FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed FBI agents were en route to the scene.
The City of Minneapolis posted an update stating: “There is an active police situation at Annunciation Church, 509 W. 54th St. There is no active threat to the community at this time. The shooter is contained.” Fox 29 Philadelphia reported that sources indicated the suspect was dead, though this has not been officially confirmed by authorities.
Reports from the scene indicate police are escorting parents and children into the school’s basement. Star Tribune reporter Sofia Barnett observed this activity at the scene. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Minnesota State Patrol are also on scene assisting Minneapolis police.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, who is in Minneapolis for a DNC convention, told attendees: “There is an active shooter here in Minneapolis right now, an unknown amount of victims at a church and school. EMS has requested mass casualty. If any of you are doctors or otherwise first responders that could help, it seems to be a fairly significant shooting.”
KNSI also reported that police are investigating reports that an explosive device may have been placed inside the church building, though this information has not been confirmed by authorities.
The shooting comes less than 24 hours after another mass shooting in Minneapolis that left one person dead and six others injured. That incident occurred Tuesday afternoon around 1:30 p.m. near 29th Street East and Clinton Avenue when a gunman armed with a high-velocity .223 rifle opened fire on a group of people, firing approximately 30 rounds.
Annunciation Catholic School had just begun its academic year on Monday. The school serves kindergarten through eighth-grade students in the south Minneapolis community. According to the school schedule, Wednesday morning mass was an all-school event.
Area residents have been advised to avoid West 54th Street between Lyndale and Nicollet Avenue to allow emergency personnel to help victims. The church and school are located near the intersection of 54th Street and Lyndale Avenue.
This is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have shaken Minneapolis this week. Police Chief Brian O’Hara had described Tuesday’s shooting as “deeply troubling” and “completely sickening and unacceptable,” noting that the level of firepower being used in broad daylight attacks was unprecedented.
As this is a developing situation, casualty figures may change as more information becomes available. Authorities have not yet released information about the suspect’s identity or potential motive for the attack.
Parents seeking information about their children are being directed to reunification areas being established by authorities. The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis has not yet issued a statement about the incident.
This mass shooting adds to what has already been a violent year in Minneapolis, with multiple mass shooting incidents recorded since January. The Gun Violence Archive reports that Minnesota has experienced five mass shootings in 2025, compared to an average of 12 per year from 2022 through 2024.
Authorities are expected to hold a press conference later Wednesday morning to provide additional details about the incident and the ongoing investigation.
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