Two children have been killed and 17 injured following a shooting at a school in the US state of Minnesota.
The incident occurred at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during an all-school Mass service.
The shooter was armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol, and fired through the windows into the church, striking those in the pews, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara.
"This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping. The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible," O'Hara said.
"Our hearts are broken for everyone that's been affected by this tragedy."
Officials identified the attacker as Robin Westman, 23. Officials referred to the assailant as a male at news conferences. Court records show Westman's name was changed from Robert in 2020 on the grounds that Westman identified as female.
Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene, according to law enforcement.
In the aftermath of the shooting, President Trump said he was "praying for everyone involved" and ordered the US flag to be flown at half-staff nationwide as a sign of mourning.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz posted on X, saying he was also holding those affected in his prayers.
“I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence,” the governor said.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said her "prayers are with everyone involved in this tragedy".
