MINNEAPOLIS — The family of 13-year-old Endre Gunter says he is out of surgery and on the road to recovery following Wednesday’s mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church, where a back-to-school Mass turned into a scene of unthinkable violence.
Endre is the first publicly identified survivor of the attack that left two children dead and 17 people injured, according to Minneapolis police. Authorities say the gunman, 23-year-old Robin Westman, opened fire shortly after 8:30 a.m., unleashing multiple rounds through the church’s stained-glass windows and into a congregation filled with children, parents, and parishioners.
A Child’s Fight to Survive
Endre’s mother, Danielle Gunter, confirmed that her son was shot in the stomach during the attack. “Our son was shot at school today, inside a church praying with his classmates,” she said in a statement Wednesday evening. “He’s out of surgery now and in recovery. We are so grateful he’s alive.”
Danielle expressed her family’s deep appreciation for the Minneapolis police officer who rushed to Endre’s side in the immediate aftermath. “The officer rendered aid, hugged him, reassured him, and prayed with him before getting into the ambulance. That act of compassion in the middle of such horror is something we will never forget,” she said, calling the officer’s actions “heroic.”
The Gunter family says they are now focused on helping Endre heal both physically and emotionally, acknowledging the long road ahead. “We have to help him rebuild his life, his trust, and his confidence. He’s just 13, and no child should ever go through this,” Danielle said.
The Toll of the Attack
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara provided an update on the victims Wednesday afternoon, confirming that two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed, and 17 others were wounded—including 14 children between the ages of 6 and 15 and three elderly parishioners in their 80s. “All of the injured are expected to survive, which is nothing short of miraculous given the circumstances,” O’Hara said.
Authorities reported that Westman was later found dead inside the church from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, bringing the rampage to an end but leaving a city in mourning.
Community Mourning, Community Resilience
In the wake of the tragedy, vigils have been held outside Annunciation Catholic Church, where candles, flowers, and handwritten notes now line the steps. Community leaders have called for unity and support for the victims.
“We’ve lost two innocent children, and dozens more will bear scars—seen and unseen—for years to come,” said Father Michael Jennings, pastor of Annunciation Catholic Church. “But we will not give in to fear. We will come together as a family of faith and a city of compassion to lift up survivors like young Endre and honor the memory of those we lost.”
The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, with authorities reviewing Westman’s background and alleged online activity prior to the attack.
For now, the story of Endre Gunter’s survival serves as a beacon of hope amid heartbreak—a reminder that even in the darkest of moments, courage, compassion, and resilience endure.
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