A shooter opened fire from the windows of the Church of the Resurrection in Minneapolis during a mass commemorating the start of the school year, killing two children and leaving several others in critical condition. Authorities have confirmed the suspect is deceased, though it remains unclear whether he was shot by police or took his own life.
Attack at a School in Minneapolis
A tragedy occurred on Wednesday around 8:30 local time at the Church of the Resurrection in the southern part of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event coincided with the inaugural mass of the school year for the parish’s Catholic school, where students and child guardians were present inside the building.
Perpetrator Shot from the Windows
Policeman Brian O’Hara stated, “During the mass, an armed man began shooting through the church windows at children sitting in the pews. As he fired through the windows, he hit children and congregants inside the building.” A local resident told a TV station, “It sounded like rifle shots, definitely not a pistol. Between 30 and 50 shots were fired. He reloaded the weapon several times. It lasted for a few minutes,” he added.
Victims of the Shooting in Minneapolis
Authorities announced soon after the shooting that the suspect was deceased. It is not yet clear whether he was killed by police or if he committed suicide at a nearby parking lot, though speculation suggests the latter. Local media reported that approximately 17 people, including 14 children, were injured in the attack. Two children, aged 8 and 10, died, and two others are in critical condition. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey confirmed that city services remain in contact with police and urged residents to stay away from the scene of the tragedy.
What is Known About the Perpetrator?
Brian O’Hara revealed that the perpetrator was a man in his early 20s. “He did not have a long or well-known criminal history. We are reviewing information to try to determine any possible motive,” he said. Additionally, it has not yet been established whether he was related to the school. It is known that he carried three types of weapons (a rifle, shotgun, and pistol) and fired from each of them during the incident.
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