The Minnesota Twins, along with the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Timberwolves/Lynx, have issued unified statements condemning a mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. The attack, which took place on Wednesday during a Mass, left at least two children dead and 17 others injured, according to police reports. The perpetrator, identified as a man in his early 20s dressed in black clothing, approached the church and opened fire through the windows, striking children and worshippers inside. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed the shooter is deceased, likely from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Twins’ statement, released shortly after the attack, described the violence as a ‘deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshiping.’ They condemned the ‘cruelty and cowardice’ of the attack, calling it ‘incomprehensible.’ The statement expressed deep sorrow for the victims and their families, while also acknowledging the bravery of first responders who worked to contain the tragedy. Similar sentiments were echoed by the Vikings and Timberwolves/Lynx, with both teams extending their condolences to the victims, their families, and the first responders.
Injuries to children, including several requiring surgery, were treated at Hennepin County Medical Center. Tom Wyatt, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Hennepin Healthcare, confirmed that four of the injured children were in need of surgical intervention. The event has sparked a broader conversation about gun violence and safety in schools and places of worship, with local officials and community leaders calling for increased measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The tragic incident has also prompted renewed discussions about the availability of firearms and the need for stricter gun control measures in the United States. While no political parties have issued official statements yet, the incident has reignited debates about the role of legislation in preventing mass shootings and protecting communities from acts of violence. The teams and local leaders have called for support for the victims and their families, emphasizing the need for unity and compassion in the wake of such a devastating event.