At least 20 people are feared to have been killed after a gunman entered the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis armed, during the back-to-school mass on Thursday morning.
The tragedy strikes the educational community and keeps state and federal authorities on alert.
The attack during the mass
The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church, located on 54th Street, where the opening mass of the school year was being held. According to initial reports, the striker burst into the church and began shooting at those present, causing scenes of panic and chaos.
Preliminary reports mention at least two fatal victims and four injured, although the numbers could rise as the hours go by. Initial versions estimate that the death toll could exceed 20 people, although there is still no official confirmation.
Tiroteo en una escuela católica de Minneapolis deja muertos y heridos
Large-scale security operation
Within minutes, the area was filled with local police officers, Minnesota State Patrol units, FBI agents, and paramedics who were deployed to assist the victims. Several ambulances were seen transporting the injured to nearby hospitals.
The surrounding streets remain closed and the students were evacuated under strict security measures.
Official response
Democratic Governor Tim Walz confirmed through an official statement that he had been informed of the attack and expressed his shock: "I'm praying for our children and teachers whose first day of school was marked by this horrendous act of violence."
The governor assured that both the State Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the state patrol are working at the scene to clarify what happened.
Institutional silence
From the administration of the Catholic school, which operates within the same grounds as the parish, they limited themselves to stating that "now is not the time to answer questions", while family members and neighbors approached seeking information about their loved ones.
A tragedy at the very start of the school year
The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School strikes directly at the educational community of Minneapolis on a symbolic date: the beginning of the school year. As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to provide concrete information about the magnitude of the massacre and the condition of the injured.
