An active shooter situation is unfolding at the Annunciation Church in south Minneapolis, located at 509 W 54th St. Police, SWAT teams, and emergency medical crews have swarmed the scene as reports of multiple casualties, including fatalities, continue to emerge.
What Happened
According to initial reports, a gunman entered the church Wednesday morning and opened fire. The suspect was described by witnesses as a man dressed in black and armed with a rifle. Authorities are still working to secure the building, and it remains unclear whether the suspect has been apprehended or is still at large.
Casualties
The full extent of the casualties is not yet confirmed. However:
- Local outlets and eyewitness accounts report multiple victims, including confirmed fatalities.
- Some reports suggest the number of victims could be as high as 20, with at least two confirmed dead at the scene.
- Several of the wounded are said to be in critical condition. Unconfirmed reports also indicate the possibility of child victims among those injured.
Officials have not released the exact number of casualties as the situation is still unfolding.
Eyewitness Accounts
Residents in the area described hearing bursts of gunfire followed by a massive emergency response. Posts on local community forums and Reddit claim that children may have been caught in the crossfire, though this has not been officially confirmed. Others described seeing parishioners fleeing the church in panic as police and ambulances rushed in.
Police and Emergency Response
The Minneapolis Police Department has confirmed an active shooter response but has not provided additional details. Roads around the church have been shut down, and traffic in nearby neighborhoods, including Richfield, has been heavily disrupted due to the large presence of law enforcement vehicles and SWAT units.
Emergency responders are currently working to treat the injured and transport them to nearby hospitals. Area residents are being urged to avoid the scene.
Developing Story
This is a developing and highly fluid situation. Authorities are still assessing the scene and have yet to release an official statement on the number of victims or the status of the suspect. More updates are expected later today as police secure the church and brief the public.