Minneapolis, MN — September 2025 — A tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis has shocked the city and the nation, drawing swift responses from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, federal law enforcement, and even President Donald Trump. The incident, which unfolded during the first week of the school year, left families scrambling for answers and raised fresh concerns over the safety of American classrooms.
The Attack
Authorities confirmed that a heavily armed man dressed in black entered the grounds of Annunciation School, a private Catholic institution serving Pre-K through eighth grade students, shortly after the start of morning Mass. Witnesses reported hearing dozens of gunshots, and police later estimated that as many as 50 rounds may have been fired before officers contained the situation.
Local outlets reported that the suspect appeared to target children during the attack, though officials have not yet released a full account of casualties. The Minneapolis Police Department later confirmed that the shooter was deceased and emphasized that there was “no ongoing threat” to the wider community.
Parents were directed to a reunification site established at the school itself, where anxious families waited for word on their children. Emergency personnel were seen escorting students out of the building, some clutching rosaries and backpacks, others visibly shaken.
Governor Walz Responds
Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat and longtime advocate for expanded school safety measures, released a statement within hours of the shooting.
“I’ve been briefed on a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and will continue to provide updates as we get more information,” Walz wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “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.”
Walz has previously called for tighter gun control laws in Minnesota, but also invested in expanding school resource officers and crisis response training. His reaction underscored both the urgency and the frustration of a state leader faced with another tragic act of school violence.
Federal Response
The FBI, Minnesota State Patrol, and local Minneapolis police all converged on the scene within minutes of the first 911 calls. Federal authorities confirmed they were working alongside local law enforcement to investigate the shooter’s identity, potential motives, and whether the incident had any connection to wider threats.
While details remain scarce, the Richfield Police Department issued a statement describing the assailant as “a man dressed in all black and armed with a rifle.” Law enforcement officials have not released the suspect’s name, citing the ongoing investigation and the need to notify next of kin.
President Trump’s Statement
News of the shooting quickly reached Washington, where President Donald Trump was briefed by federal security officials. The president issued a statement on his Truth Social platform shortly afterward:
“I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!”
The White House later confirmed that Trump had directed the Department of Justice and the Department of Education to provide Minnesota with federal resources as needed.
A Community in Shock
For Minneapolis residents, the attack was particularly jarring given the timing: the incident came just days into the new academic year, when students and families were settling into routines. Annunciation School, located near West 54th Street between Lyndale and Nicollet avenues, has long been regarded as a quiet, faith-centered institution.
Parents described frantic scenes as they raced to the school after receiving emergency alerts. “All I wanted was to see my daughter’s face and know she was okay,” said Maria Gonzalez, whose second-grader was in Mass when the shooting began. “We send them to school to learn and to pray. We don’t expect this.”
Teachers at the school are being praised for their quick response, reportedly guiding children into safe areas and keeping them calm until police arrived.
Gun Violence in Schools: A Troubling Pattern
This tragedy is the latest in a grim string of school shootings across the United States in recent years. According to data from the K-12 School Shooting Database, incidents of gun violence on school grounds have more than doubled since 2018, with both public and private institutions affected.
Faith-based schools like Annunciation are not immune. “No community is safe from this epidemic,” said Dr. Linda Chen, a criminologist who studies school shootings. “Whether it’s urban public schools, suburban districts, or private religious institutions, the threat of armed individuals entering classrooms is universal.”
Law Enforcement Containment
Police officials credited rapid coordination between multiple agencies with preventing further loss of life. The Minneapolis Police Department announced shortly after noon that the “shooter is contained” and reassured the public that there was no longer an active threat.
“Stay away from the area to allow emergency personnel to help victims,” city officials urged. Streets surrounding the school were blocked off as investigators began processing the scene, photographing shell casings, and interviewing witnesses.
Federal agents are expected to examine the suspect’s digital history, firearm acquisition records, and possible affiliations with extremist groups.
Political Fallout
The shooting is likely to reignite debates over gun control, mental health funding, and school safety in Minnesota and nationwide. Governor Walz has previously pushed for background check expansions and “red flag” laws, while President Trump has consistently defended gun rights but emphasized arming schools with security personnel.
Already, activists on both sides of the political spectrum are framing the Minneapolis attack as evidence for their arguments. Gun reform advocates say it underscores the need for sweeping legislative action, while gun rights supporters warn against using a tragedy to restrict Second Amendment freedoms.
The Days Ahead
As the investigation continues, the Minneapolis community is beginning the painful process of recovery. Counselors and clergy have been dispatched to support families and children traumatized by the event.
Annunciation Catholic Church has announced that it will hold a special Mass of Healing later this week, inviting families, first responders, and neighbors to gather in solidarity.
Governor Walz pledged to keep Minnesotans informed as new information emerges. “This is a moment of heartbreak,” he said, “but also a moment to stand together as a community. We will not let fear define our schools.”
Conclusion
The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School has once again placed America’s gun violence crisis in sharp relief. What should have been a week of new beginnings — fresh notebooks, early morning prayers, and the return of children to classrooms — instead became a day of chaos and grief.
With one gunman dead, families reunited, and officials pledging swift action, the questions now turn to why it happened and how to prevent it from happening again. For Minneapolis, and for countless communities across the nation, the search for answers continues.