### Terror Strikes Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis: Gunfire, Panic, and a City on Edge
What began as a quiet Wednesday morning service in Minneapolis spiraled into a nightmare few could have imagined. Parishioners at Annunciation Catholic Church were thrust into chaos when an armed assailant stormed the sanctuary,
unleashing a barrage of bullets that left worshippers fleeing for their lives. The tragedy has shaken the Tangletown neighborhood to its core, leaving behind grief, unanswered questions, and an urgent manhunt.
#### A Morning of Horror
At approximately 8:30 a.m. on August 27, 2025, gunfire erupted inside the church located on the 500 block of West 54th Street. Witnesses reported hearing more than 100 shots in a matter of minutes. “It sounded like fireworks at first,” one neighbor told reporters, “but then the screaming started, and I knew it was something far worse.”
By the time emergency responders arrived, at least two lives had already been claimed, with around 20 others injured—four of them critically. Among the victims were several children, rushed from the building under police escort while ambulances crowded the street.
#### Explosives Fears Intensify the Crisis
As officers worked to evacuate survivors and stabilize the wounded, reports surfaced of a possible explosive device inside the church. The Minneapolis bomb squad was immediately deployed, accompanied by state troopers and a circling police helicopter overhead. The added threat of explosives heightened the urgency, forcing law enforcement to expand their perimeter and keep residents away.
Local resident Michael Kraabel shared his harrowing account online, writing: *“I live in Tangletown and just heard a massive shootout a couple blocks from my house. 100+ rounds. Now we hear sirens coming.”* His post quickly spread, capturing the terror of a community under siege.
#### Leadership Responds Amid Uncertainty
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey issued a statement within hours of the attack, calling it “horrific violence” and pledging full coordination with Police Chief Brian O’Hara and emergency crews. “Please, give our officers the space they need to respond,” Frey urged, as more than 40 police and rescue vehicles crowded the area.
Meanwhile, law enforcement confirmed they were searching for a suspect described as dressed entirely in black and armed with a rifle. Whether the shooter fled the scene or remained barricaded nearby remains unclear. Authorities emphasized that their top priorities are locating the gunman, neutralizing any potential explosives, and safeguarding residents.
#### A Community in Shock
For Tangletown, known more for its leafy streets and family-friendly parks than for violence, the attack feels almost surreal. Many locals are now grappling with both grief and fear, questioning how a place of worship—intended as a sanctuary—became the site of such devastation.
“This isn’t supposed to happen here,” one parishioner whispered through tears. “Church is where we go to find peace, not fear for our lives.”
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### **Conclusion**
The shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church is more than a local tragedy—it is a stark reminder of how quickly violence can erupt in even the most sacred spaces. With lives lost, families torn apart, and a neighborhood traumatized, Minneapolis now finds itself in the grips of both sorrow and vigilance. As the search for the suspect continues and investigators comb the church for possible explosives, the community clings to one hope: that answers—and justice—will come swiftly in the wake of this senseless act of terror.