Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey erupted in anger and heartbreak Wednesday after a gunman opened fire inside Annunciation Catholic School, killing two children and wounding 17 others during morning mass.
“This is not about thoughts and prayers. These kids were literally praying when the bullets came through the windows,” Frey said during a fiery press conference outside the school. “Minneapolis families are shattered. American families are shattered. And yet, Washington refuses to act.”
"Don't just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying."
— ABC News (@ABC) August 27, 2025
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks after at least two people were killed in a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, sources said. https://t.co/DDDRKlgkKo pic.twitter.com/Ai1faAXKZO
The shooting unfolded just after 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 27, as students gathered for a back-to-school mass. Witnesses said the gunman — believed to be in his early 20s — opened fire from outside the church, sending terrified children diving under pews as parents scrambled for safety.
Two students, ages 8 and 10, were killed. Fourteen students and three adults were injured. Officials confirmed the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Dr. Thomas Wyatt, chair of emergency medicine at Hennepin Healthcare, said nine of the 11 hospitalized victims are between 6 and 11 years old, with several in critical condition. “We are doing everything possible to save these children,” Wyatt said. “It’s been one of the most difficult days our team has faced.”
Frey, visibly shaken, blasted federal inaction and President Donald Trump’s refusal to push for stronger gun safety laws.
“We’re living under a president who shrugs while kids die in churches and classrooms,” Frey said, his voice cracking. “Thoughts and prayers don’t stop bullets. We need legislation. We need action. And we need it now.”
Democrats in Congress are already renewing calls for universal background checks and an assault weapons ban, while the Trump administration has signaled no intention to revisit federal gun laws.
This is the 41st school shooting of 2025 — and the deadliest in Minnesota’s history. Advocates point to Trump’s rollback of Obama-era school safety grants and the administration’s continued opposition to red flag laws as fueling a “cycle of preventable tragedy.”
Local parents gathered outside Annunciation Catholic School holding candles and handwritten signs. One mother, still clutching her son’s backpack, sobbed into reporters’ microphones: “I sent my baby to school to pray, not to die. When does this end?”
As federal investigators work to determine the motive, Minneapolis residents are demanding more than condolences.
“We can’t keep doing this,” Frey said before walking away from the podium. “We won’t.”
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Was the shooter a transgender?
Not a “gunman”, but an addict… likely trans addiction, drug addiction, religion addiction… 3 addictions tends to be fatal…
No he was a democrat. Go ahead Next Gen News, remove this post like you did my last one. Anti freedom of speech group, just like AOL.
This is yet another unspeakable and avoidable tragedy that once again brings on the meaningless “thoughts and prayers” crap rather than the essential action needed to stop more of these tragedies. Don’t think for a minute that you because you pretend to care by pretending to think and pray that this will erase your complicity in the murder of our children. As long as you put your “second amendment rights” over the right of children to live a full life, you are part of ongoing pandemic of gun violence in our country.
Wrong Penny. The problem is the democrat judges and lawyers who believe punishment is not called for but turni ng criminals free is. That along with parents who don’t teach their children right from wrong. Old saying, Spare the rod lose the child is very true. Remember guns do not kill, people do.
We’ve put tons of money into our anti-drug efforts, right? I don’t know where you live but I’ll bet there are places you won’t go because of drug addicts, hmmm?? Like most liberals you tend to think it’s the fault of the guns and it most definitely is not…in America way more people are saved from crime with firearms than are victims of it. Don’t believe me? Ask your FBI. I own firearms and they are useful for my protection from the leftist idiots running around our country preying on those that are weaker. Now what do you think the result might have been had there been an armed guard on duty? When’s the last time somebody shot up a police station, Penny? Give it some rational thought instead of simply hating firearms.
All the gun laws in the world won’t deter anyone who wants to kill , they’ll just get the guns illegally anyway. Throwing more laws at the problem is like p—ing in the wind and with each shooting it’s always someone else’s fault most notably Republicans or Trump !!! Try putting more money into mental health because , Lord knows this country is chock full of mentally ill people not to mention a complete disrespect for all human life.This for sure is a great tragedy of huge proportions and yes Mayor Frey, we need all the prayers we can get can muster for all these victims !!! May God rest their souls and be with all those affected by this tragedy !!!
You are so right Cindy!
We watched Mayor Frey’s press conference. My bulls#!t-o-meter was going off the charts. It was not very sincere, and an overt political maneuver, using this tragedy to slam the White House. Those remarks had NO place in his statement. Dems have absolutely NO sense of boundaries, or respect.
Though I did find Gov Walz’s comments true to heart. How could anyone not be affected.
A terrible tragedy: and lack of God and respect for all lives is an American problem. I definitely thought the mayor was out of line too. Because “after” the shooting, ALL we have are prayers!! Nothing brings back those who had to die! And prayers are for the injured, and families who have to bear the sadness of loss of their dear little ones. I agree: Guns do not kill!! Those who pull the trigger are responsible. However, any automatic rifle, which the military use, should never be sold. Once your military service is finished, those types of guns MUST stay with those IN the military. Banning all guns will not stop the violence!! It is upbringing and getting help for those who need mental health care. Also every school from 4th grade should have a 4-week course about weapon SAFETY: knives, guns, hammers, power tools(not toys but weapons when used inappropriately)!! And encourage kids to stay close to home and not run with gangs.
I know first hand of young high kids and adults who were goofing around, with guns &/or drunk and accidently KILLS someone!! Our fore-fathers established our country on God’s Two Greatest Commandments: Love God with your whole mind, body & soul and treat yourself and others as you want to be treated. Amen.