Gunfire erupted Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during a church mass.
The shooter fired a rifle through windows and carried a shotgun and pistol.
Police confirmed two children, aged eight and ten, died and 17 more suffered injuries.
Authorities contained the shooter, who later killed himself, eliminating any active threat to residents.
Officials Condemn the Attack
Police chief Brian O’Hara called the shooting an act of “sheer cruelty and cowardice.”
Governor Tim Walz described the incident as “horrific” and prayed for students and teachers.
Children’s Minnesota admitted five young victims, while Hennepin Healthcare treated other injured students.
President Donald Trump said he received briefings and confirmed the White House would continue monitoring.
Families and School Respond
Officials evacuated the school and directed families to a reunification area.
Annunciation Catholic School, founded in 1923, had hosted morning mass on the first day of term.
Recent posts showed children enjoying back-to-school events, summer art projects, and ice pops.
Gun Violence Surges in Minneapolis
The shooting followed three fatal shootings in the city within 24 hours.
On Tuesday, one person died and six others were wounded outside a Minneapolis high school.
Two more people died in separate shootings hours later.
Hoax Calls Intensify Fear
At least a dozen U.S. college campuses received false shooting threats.
Some warnings included recorded gunfire, prompting universities to send “run, hide, fight” alerts.
Students nationwide faced heightened fear as the school year began.
