Two children were killed Wednesday and at least 17 people were injured when a gunman fired through the windows of a Minneapolis Catholic church toward young people worshipping at Mass, authorities said.
The shooting occurred at Annunciation Church, which also houses a school, just before 8:30 a.m., authorities said. The gunman approached the outside of the church building and fired inside toward the children sitting in pews, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said.
The gunman then took his own life at the rear of the church, O'Hara said.
"Children are dead," Mayor Jacob Frey said. "Those families are suffering immense pain right now. Think of this as if it were your own. Every one of us needs to be wrapping our arms around these families, giving them every ounce that we can muster."