A gunman who stormed into a church school has been ‘contained’ afterreports of a shooting in south Minneapolis.
Emergency services rushed to the scene to seal off the Annunciation Church with broadcaster CBS reporting a large number of ambulances on Wednesday morning.
The church is attached to a school and had an ‘all-school mass service’ scheduled at 8.15am as pupils returned to class after the summer holidays.
Richfield police confirmed reports of 20 victims, adding that a man dressed in all black and armed with a rifle was reported at the scene.
Neighbours told FOX 9 that children from the school were in mass at the time.
The school takes children in from the ages of 5 -14.
The City of Minneapolis said on X: ‘There is an active police situation at Annunciation Church.
‘There is no active threat to the community at this time.
‘The shooter is contained. Stay away from the area to allow emergency personnel to help victims.’
Governor Tim Walz said on X: ‘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. I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.’
Mayor Jacob Frey, who was spotted at the scene, posted on X: ‘I’m monitoring reports of horrific violence in South Minneapolis.
‘I’m in touch with Chief O’Hara and our emergency response team has been activated. We will share more information as soon as we can. Please give our officers the space they need to respond to the situation.’
The city of Minneapolis has seen several shootings in the past 24 hours leaving three dead.
Police are investigating if the shootings are linked.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said after a fatal shooting downtown: ‘The level of gun violence across the city within the last day is deeply unsettling.
‘Across three separate multiple-victim shootings, eight people have been injured by gunfire and three have lost their lives.
‘Our thoughts are with the victims who lost their lives, with those who are now fighting to recover from their injuries, and with the families and community members who are affected.’