At least 20 people are feared to have been gunned down after an active shooter stormed a Catholic church in Minneapolis as the parish school was holding its start-of-year mass.
The shooter stormed Annunciation Catholic Church on 54th Street around 8:30am local time. A Catholic grade school is connected to the church.
Preliminary reports indicate that several people were injured in the mass shoot, although authorities have not yet said how many victims there are.
Multiple children have been taken to a nearby hospital, law enforcement sources told KARE. It is unclear how exactly how many children have been hurt.
Minnesota state troopers, local police, FBI agents, SWAT officers, paramedics and a large number of ambulances are currently at the scene.
‘I’ve been briefed on a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and will continue to provide updates as we get more information,’ Governor Tim Walz said.
‘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.’
Officials at Annunciation Catholic School told Daily Mail that ‘now is not the time to be answering your questions’.
The gunman is dead, law enforcement sources told FOX 9. Daily Mail has approached the church and local police for further information.
Students at Annunciation Catholic School, where a gunman opened fire this morning, started classes on Monday.
They were in mass at the time of the shooting, according to Fox 9.
Parents have gathered at the reunification zone near the church as they work to be reconnected with their loved ones.
The City of Minneapolis said there is no active threat to the community and the shooter at Annunciation Church has been contained.
‘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,’ the city said on X.
‘Stay away from the area to allow emergency personnel to help victims – W. 54th Street between Lyndale and Nicollet Ave.’
‘I’m monitoring reports of horrific violence in South Minneapolis. I’m in touch with Chief O’Hara and our emergency response team has been activated,’ Mayor Jacob Frey said.
‘We will share more information as soon as we can. Please give our officers the space they need to respond to the situation.’
An active shooter situation is underway at Annunciation Catholic Church on 54th Street in Minneapolis
even people were shot, one fatally, in a separate mass shooting near a Catholic high school in south Minneapolis yesterday reported Kare11.
Police said the suspect, who escaped in a vehicle and does not appear to have been arrested since, fired around 30 rounds from a high-velocity .223 rifle.
Authorities have not confirmed any connection between the shootings.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.