The Diocese of Columbus offered its heartfelt prayers for the victims of a Wednesday morning mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis that took the lives of two children and left at least 17 others with injuries, according to police.
“Along with Bishop Earl K. Fernandes, we are saddened by the horrific shooting that transpired today at the Annunciation Church in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. We join with our Catholic brothers and sisters in prayer for the victims, their families and for first responders. May God the Father, the Author of Life, grant comfort during this difficult time,” the diocese said in a statement.
The shooting occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. CDT Wednesday morning when a gunman sprayed bullets through the windows of the church from outside. Children from the parish school were assembled in the church for a Mass during the first week of classes in the new academic year.
The suspected shooter, who was reported to be in his 20s, died from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to accounts from the scene.
For updates, follow The Catholic Spirit, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ newspaper, here.