WASHINGTON — U.S. leaders are reacting to a deadly mass shooting at a Minnesota Catholic school that killed two children and injured at least 17 people, calling the attack a “terrible situation.” 

The Minneapolis Police said the shooter began firing from outside the church, shooting through the windows of a church where schoolchildren were sitting for an all-school mass. 

Monday was the first day of school, and social media photos from that day show students in green uniforms greeting each other at bicycle racks, smiling for the camera and sitting together.

Details about the shooting are still emerging, but at a Wednesday morning press conference, law enforcement officials confirmed that two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed in the attack. At least 17 more people, including 14 children, were injured. 

Here are the responses from elected officials and government officials to the shooting: 

The Republican president quickly took to Truth Social to confirm the FBI was part of the response to the shooting, and said his administration would continue to monitor the aftermath of the shooting. 

“I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota,” Trump wrote. “The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!” 

The White House sent out a message Wednesday afternoon confirming that Trump has ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House and at all federal buildings. 

“As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, August 31, 2025,” the proclamation reads. “I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”

Kristi Noem, Trump’s Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said her agency was monitoring the situation. 

“DHS is monitoring the horrific shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis,” Noem posted on X. “We are in communication with our interagency partners, and will share more information as soon as it becomes available. I am praying for the victims of this heinous attack and their families.” 

The head of the FBI said agents were on scene shortly after the shooting, and would provide updates as more information becomes available. 

“We are aware of reports of a shooting at a Catholic school in Minnesota,” he said. “FBI agents are on scene, and we ask everyone to keep potential victims,  civilians or law enforcement in harm’s way in your prayers. The @FBI will provide updates as more information becomes available.”

Gov. Tim Walz called the gunfire “horrific” on social media Wednesday morning, saying he had been briefed on the situation. 

“I’ve been briefed on a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and will continue to provide updates as we get more information. The BCA and State Patrol are on scene,” he wrote on X. 
“I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.”

The Minnesota senator posted on X that she was “heartbroken” by the attack. 

“I am heartbroken by the horrific violence at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis this morning” she wrote. “My prayers are with the students, teachers, and families, and I am grateful for the first responders who are on the scene.” 

Minnesota’s junior senator said her office was monitoring the situation in Minneapolis and thanked law enforcement for their quick response. 

“My staff and I are monitoring the situation at Annunciation Catholic School. I’m grateful for the quick response of law enforcement as we continue to gather information,” she posted. “It’s the first week of school. These kids should not be fearing for their lives.”

Pope Leo XIV has sent a telegram of condolences over the shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, calling it a “terrible tragedy” and saying he was praying for relatives of the dead and injured “at this extremely difficult time.”

Leo, history’s first American pope, said he was “profoundly saddened” to learn about the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School church. He sent his condolences “to all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child.”

The Chicago-born Leo said he was praying for those injured and the medical teams and first responders at the scene, and for the broader Catholic community.

The telegram was signed by the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and was addressed to Archbishop Bernard Hebda, the archbishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis.