Teachers, children became heroes 'within seconds' after shooter opened fire

As the bullets flew into a Minneapolis church during a Mass in an inhumance crime, it was the best of humanity that shone through.

Teachers and some of the older children scrambled to protect the youngest and most vulnerable, according to Annunciation Catholic School Principal Matthew DeBoer.

His voice quavered with emotion as he spoke at a news conference about the shooting that killed two students, or "two angels" as DeBoer put it, and wounded 17 others at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis.

"Our teachers were heroes," he said. "Children were ducked down. Adults were protecting children. Older children were protecting younger children, and ... it could have been significantly worse without their heroic action."

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also praised the actions of teachers and faculty at the news conference.

"The way that they acted during severe threat and danger was nothing short of heroic," he said. "This is a tragic and horrible event that should never occur and it would have been all the more tragic and horrible had they not stepped in, at times put themselves in danger to protect others ... It could have been far worse."

Gunfire erupts at Minneapolis Catholic school. See the scene.

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Two children were killed Wednesday and at least 17 people were injured when a gunman fired through the windows of a Minneapolis Catholic church toward young people worshipping at a Mass, authorities said.

Families reunite outside the police barricades after a shooting at Annunciation Church, which is also home to a an elementary school, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 27, 2025.

'We feel the pain': Catholics grieve in wake of deadly attack during Mass

More about life-saving actions

In a message to the community later in the day, DeBoer specified how some of the teachers were able to save the lives of students.

"You need to know that within seconds, our heroic staff moved students under the pews," he said, adding that police responded quickly and "evacuated all of our children and staff to safety in a matter of minutes."

For those killed and wounded, he said: "Please lift up these families and these children in prayer and surround them and each other with your love during this difficult time."

Other bravery during mass shootings

Brave actions have previously saved countless lives during mass shootings in the U.S. They're committed by everyday people and first responders alike, and often at great risk to their own lives.

At the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas that killed 58 people in 2017, a 29-year-old Marine veteran from San Diego named Taylor Winston found a truck with the keys in it and loaded it with victims who had serious injuries, saving potentially dozens of lives, according to CBS This Morning.

During the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that killed 49 people in 2016, a 24-year-old bouncer named Imran Yousuf sprang into action when he saw people frozen in terror next to a closed door. Putting his life on the line, he opened the door, allowing up to 70 people to reach safety.

Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter for USA TODAY. Follow her on X at @amandaleeusat.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Teachers, children were heroes during Minneapolis church shooting