PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) -- The Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg is responding after a mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic church left two children dead and 17 others injured Wednesday morning.
According to Minneapolis Chief of Police Brian O'Hara, a 23-year-old gunman opened fire at Annunciation Catholic Church before taking his own life.
The two children were ages 8 and 10, and among the 17 injured, there were three adults and 14 children, with the youngest being 6 years old.
Chris Pastura, superintendent of Catholic schools for the diocese, said safety remains the top priority in local schools.
“Our first goal with all of our children is to keep them safe. And sadly, our world is such that evil is present,” Pastura said.
He said the diocese is reviewing security protocols