Walz: Praying for kids, teachers after horrific act of violence

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(The Center Square) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis that killed two young children Wednesday morning a horrific act of violence.

Walz’ social media post that also said he was praying for students and teachers following the attack was echoed by many Minnesota officials and President Donald Trump.

"I'm praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence,” Walz wrote on social media.

Walz spoke with Trump following the shooting.

The president wrote on social media, “I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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!”

A gunman opened fire on a mass at the school in south Minneapolis just before 8:30 a.m.

An 8-year-old and 10-year-old were killed where they sat in church pews, while 14 other children were injured and two are in critical condition.

The shooter was in his early 20s and took his own life in the back of the church, Minneapolis Police confirmed. Police have what they suspect was the shooter’s vehicle in their possession. The shooter had a rifle, shotgun and pistol.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., told CBS affiliate WCCO that one of her former staffers had children who attended the school and was at mass during the shooting.

"You think about those children in there scrambling to hide in those pews and you think about them praying and the next thing you hear are these shots coming through the window,” Klobuchar said. “There has to be another piece to this, and the other piece is what are we going to do about these mass shootings. Minnesota is not alone here.”

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis asked members to pray for those affected by the shooting.