On Wednesday morning, a gunman opened fire during the opening Mass for the first week of school at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, killing two students, aged 10 and 8, and injuring 14 other students, as well as three adults. The shooter, a man who identified as a transgender woman, committed suicide a few moments after the attack. Prior to the shooting, he had posted a YouTube video showing a clear anti-Christian motivation–mocking Jesus and promoting Satanism–along with antisemitic and racist messages.
Communities and leaders across the country have spoken out in solidarity with the victims and their families. Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda issued a statement expressing gratitude for “the many promises of prayers that have been coming in from the Holy Father, Pope Leo, and from so many from all around the globe, all praying for the families of Annunciation Parish and School.”
The Missouri Catholic Conference joins the Minnesota Catholic Conference in prayer for all who were impacted by the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School. May God grant comfort and peace to the families of the two children who tragically lost their lives.
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