Minneapolis officials: Despite tragedy, emergency training paid off in Annunciation shooting

The fear that swept through Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday has not lifted. On Friday, Minneapolis officials stood before cameras to reassure parents: the city has rehearsed this nightmare, and their training saved lives.

Mayor Jacob Frey said the city’s response was the product of hard lessons. After the unrest that followed George Floyd’s murder in 2020, Minneapolis rebuilt its crisis playbook from the ground up, adopting national emergency standards, creating new communication protocols and running full-scale disaster drills. Last year, city leaders traveled to a FEMA training center in Maryland to practice various disaster simulations.

“We did everything possible to improve emergency management and crisis response,” Frey said. “That collective work has shown resolve and strength, and I’m proud of the performance over the last several days.”

Emergency managers activated the city’s operations center within minutes of the first 911 calls, setting up family support sites and arranging food and water for first responders. Counselors and therapy dogs were dispatched to the church. State reimbursement funds are now available for families, neighbors and anyone who witnessed the violence, covering lost wages, medical bills and child care.

Rachel Sayre, who directs the city’s emergency operations, said the goal was to meet families where they were — even in the hours immediately after the shooting.

“If you were impacted, it’s really important you know this,” she said. “You have the ability to access funds that will help you recover.”

Officials also credited the actions of those inside Annunciation. Children shielded classmates with their bodies. Teachers led panicked students through smoke. Faith leaders ran toward the sound of shots.

“There is comfort in knowing there were so many heroic actions.”

The next challenge, leaders said, is making families feel safe again. With Minneapolis schools opening next week, Assistant Police Chief Christopher Gaiters said officers have begun around-the-clock patrols at schools and houses of worship, with reinforcements from the State Patrol, Hennepin County and the Department of Natural Resources. The patrols will run at least through Sept. 5 and may be extended.

“We recognize that people want to be reassured that our children are going to be safe,” Gaiters said. “We are doing everything we can to make certain of that.”

He urged parents and neighbors to report suspicious activity, adding: “We can’t be everywhere, although we try. But with your partnership, we will be right there.”

Frey said the week’s tragedy underscored both the limits and the value of preparation.

The mayor said families should expect city staff to remain visible — counselors in schools, safety officers at doors, patrol cars outside sanctuaries.