SPOKANE, Wash. – As students enjoyed free pizza and pep celebrations on their first day of school in Spokane, the scene was starkly different 1,500 miles away in Minneapolis.
Annunciation Church and Catholic School in mourning after a shooter opened fire during Opening Mass.
Non Stop Local reached out to Principle of Gonzaga Prep Michael Dougherty for a statement.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the students, families, and entire community of Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. To experience such violence during the opening Mass, a moment so full of hope, breaks our hearts. As a Catholic school, Gonzaga Prep stands committed to building a more just and loving world, even in the face of such tragedy. We remain vigilant, and the safety and well-being of every student, teacher, and staff member is our highest priority.”
In a letter to parents, Dougherty encouraged families to support one another.
“We encourage you to check in with your students to see how they are feeling, knowing that our school counselors are available to support any student who may be struggling,” Dougherty said.
The letter also emphasized Gonzaga Prep’s security protocols.
“Our practice has been to lock the doors to the chapel and maintain campus surveillance during masses,” Dougherty said.
Non Stop Local observed the security measures at Gonzaga Prep, including security cameras, key card entry, window shades for lockdowns, and locked gates.
