A morning of worship at Annunciation Catholic School turned to horror when two children were killed and several others injured during a shooting that shattered the peace of Sunday Mass. Witnesses say the gunman, a 23-year-old former student, entered the church armed with multiple weapons and began firing indiscriminately,
sending parishioners fleeing for cover. Within seconds, a place devoted to faith and learning was consumed by screams, chaos, and heartbreak.Teachers and volunteers acted with remarkable courage, shielding students beneath pews and locking doors as the gunfire continued.
Parents, many of whom had been attending the same service, ran through the hallways and classrooms, desperate to find their children. Emergency responders arrived within minutes, evacuating survivors and providing aid to those struck by bullets or injured in the panic. Hospitals later confirmed that doctors treated multiple victims for gunshot wounds and shrapnel injuries—some of which were not immediately apparent.
Among the lives lost were two young students whose names have become symbols of the community’s grief: an 8-year-old boy who loved fishing with his grandfather and dreamed of becoming a park ranger, and a 10-year-old girl remembered for her warm laugh, her kindness, and the joy she brought to everyone around her.
Police confirmed the shooter was apprehended at the scene after officers secured the building. Investigators are now piecing together the events that led up to the tragedy, working to uncover what drove the former student to commit such an unthinkable act.
In the days following the attack, the community of Annunciation has gathered for vigils and prayer services, leaning on faith and one another for strength. The loss of two innocent children has left an indelible scar—but amid the grief, residents vow to honor their memory with compassion, unity, and resolve.
