The mayor of Minneapolis criticized Christians offering prayers for victims of a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church, which left two children dead and 17 others injured. During a press conference following the attack, Democratic mayor Jacob Frey asserted that “thoughts and prayers” were insufficient to address the violence.
The incident occurred during morning Mass at the church in South Minneapolis, where a gunman opened fire, killing two children aged 8 and 10 and injuring 17 others, including 14 children. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated the shooter fired a rifle through church windows, targeting worshippers. The attacker, described as a man in his early 20s, also used a shotgun and pistol before taking his own life. No details about the gunman’s ties to the church were disclosed.
Frey emphasized that the victims were “American families” enduring “extraordinary” pain, urging against simplistic responses. He highlighted that the children were “literally praying” during the attack, referencing the shooter’s alleged rhetoric of “Where is your God now?” Frey later addressed claims linking the gunman to transgender identity, condemning attempts to “villainize our trans community” and redirecting focus to gun control measures.
The church operates a school for children from prekindergarten through eighth grade, with the shooting occurring on the first day of the academic year. Hennepin Healthcare reported treating two adults and nine children, including two in critical condition. Frey called for action beyond “words,” citing the prevalence of firearms in the U.S. as a societal failure.
