MINNEAPOLIS (Dispatches) – Two children were killed and 17 others injured in a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, highlighting the ongoing crisis of gun violence in the United States.
The shooter, a man in his early 20s, opened fire during an all-school mass service at the Catholic school, which was marking the start of the academic year. Armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, he sprayed bullets inside the church, injuring 14 children and three adults. 
Two of the injured children remain in critical condition. Police confirmed the assailant died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities have not yet released the shooter’s identity or determined if he had any connection to the school.
The attack comes amid a surge of gun violence in Minneapolis. Within 24 hours, the city experienced several other shootings that left three more people dead and multiple others injured. Police have not confirmed any links between the shootings. One man in his 20s was fatally shot in a separate incident later Tuesday evening, while another shooting in downtown Minneapolis early Wednesday killed one man and injured another.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the level of gun violence over the last day as “deeply unsettling” and confirmed the department is actively investigating the mass shooting and related incidents.
The incident at Annunciation Catholic School reflects a wider pattern of gun-related violence in the U.S., particularly in schools and public spaces. The shooter used multiple firearms, including assault-style weapons, underscoring concerns about easy access to high-powered guns.
Gun violence continues to be a leading cause of death for children and young adults in the United States. Despite repeated mass shootings, legislative action on gun control remains limited at the federal level, with debates around banning assault weapons and improving school safety ongoing.
In Minnesota, the problem of gun violence extends beyond mass shootings. Earlier this summer, two state lawmakers and their spouses were targeted in separate shootings, incidents authorities described as politically motivated violence.
The growing toll of shootings in cities like Minneapolis illustrates the persistent challenge facing law enforcement and policymakers. With more than 40,000 gun-related deaths annually nationwide, calls for comprehensive gun reform have intensified, focusing on restricting access to assault weapons, improving background checks, and enhancing protections in schools.