Two children are dead and scores more injured after a shooter opened fire on students during a religious service at a Catholic school in the US city of Minneapolis.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the shooter — armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol — approached the side of the church at Annunciation Catholic School and shot through the windows toward the children sitting in the pews during mass.
Police believe the shooter took their own life.
The two victims were aged 8 and 10.
Fourteen other children and three parishioners in their 80s were wounded but were expected to survive, the police chief said.
The shooting took place on Wednesday morning, local time — the children’s third day of the school year.
Speaking at a press conference, the Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey said he was “deeply saddened and sorry” and hit out at gun violence in the US.
“[Children] should be able to go to school or church in peace without the fear and risk of violence and their parents should have the same kind of assurance,” Mr Frey said.
“Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying.”
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