Two children, aged eight and 10, were killed in the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on the morning of August 27, authorities said. The attack unfolded during a Mass marking the first week of classes.
Minneapolis Police Chief confirmed that 17 others were wounded, including 14 children between the ages of six and 15 and three elderly parishioners in their eighties. The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, died at the scene.
Mass shootings remain a painful and recurring part of American history. Despite decades of debate, a lack of comprehensive gun control legislation means such tragedies continue to occur. Carried out increasingly by young men who also often suffer from serious mental health or substance abuse problems, these attacks continue to plague the country.
Click through the following gallery to learn more about these tragedies.