I HAD MY MORNING PLANNED. Wash sheets and towels and hang them on the line. Pay bills. Write a blog post. I finished the laundry. But then all activity stopped and my attention focused to breaking news—a mass shooting in south Minneapolis.
For hours I’ve watched media coverage of events unfolding at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in south Minneapolis. Early today two school children were shot and killed during morning Mass. Seventeen others were injured, among them two adults. Four required surgery. Seven were in critical condition at Hennepin County Medical Center, a level one trauma center. Several went to other hospitals.
My heart breaks for the families, friends and classmates of the eight and 10-year-olds who were killed. My heart breaks for all who were part of and witness to this violence. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, who spoke at a press conference, echoed the same. Their pain and anguish were evident in their words, their voices breaking with emotion.
I was especially touched by Mayor Frey’s message that we must go beyond simply saying “thoughts and prayers” because, as he stated, these kids were literally in church praying. He’s right. I believe in prayer. But I also believe that caring and compassionate action must accompany prayer. Frey called upon all of us to wrap our arms around the affected families, to love and support them. These are not only Minneapolis families affected, but American families, he said, adding that these shootings happen far too often.
According to officials, the gunman, dressed in black and armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol, fired from the outside through church stained glass windows, hitting victims sitting in the pews. The man, in his early 20s and with no known criminal record, is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the police chief.
Both the mayor and police chief used the word “evil” when describing this morning’s shooting. They also used words like “deliberate act of violence,” “unspeakable act,” and “unthinkable tragedy.” We’ve heard those words way too often following mass shootings that have occurred way too often. Once is too often.
My day goes on, not as I planned, but tinged now with deep sadness. I can’t shake the images of children emerging from Annunciation School with their parents, hands clasped, faces showing the deep pain they are feeling. They are forever changed.
This is tough. All of it. Something must change.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
sad
That’s a fitting response. Sad, so sad. This shooting happened about a mile from my cousin’s house. I texted my Minneapolis family this morning to check in and tell them how sorry I was that this happened in their community.
So painfully and perfectly worded Audrey. And the ‘thoughts and prayers’ statement, hopefully that hits a lot of people hard. These children were literally in church praying. They don’t need more (unsaid, unbothered) prayers, they need protection, they need action, they need to be able to live the lives of children.
Well said, Rose.
oh, Audrey. I’ve been out most of the day. I came home, answered emails and blogs and turned on the tv. There I saw your mayor speaking and at the same time I read this post from you and I am so very saddened. This is so devastating and I wonder where and when this will ever end. I know that we are heartbroken and cannot even begin to know the pain that the impacted families and witnesses and responders are feeling. My heart goes out to all of you. I consider churches, schools, hospitals and homes to be sanctuaries, even the worst of situations and that is no longer true. ❤
When will this ever end? That is the question. Thanks for your loving support from Michigan.
My heart is breaking… it’s so unbelievably sad.
Unbelievably sad…yes.
Another horrible event I can’t understand.
Hopefully we will get answers at the investigation unfolds. There are always reasons behind a mass shooting like this.
Dear God, yes. This has to stop. Watching the children telling their version of what they experienced broke my heart. Children should never have to experience something like this. I think we have all shed tears in the last few days at the horror of this. We have got to find a way to change the gun laws. I have deep shame and sadness that we have not yet done so. We must act.
I absolutely agree. We must act. For the children. For our families. For all of us. For this country.