This morning, a tragic shooting took place at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in South Minneapolis. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin was in Minneapolis for the DNC summer meeting and addressed the public. 

Remarks from Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, as delivered: 

“Good morning, everyone. 

“By now, many of you have heard there was a shooting this morning that took place at Annunciation Church and Catholic School in South Minneapolis, no more than 10 minutes from where we are now. 

“At this moment, we are praying for the families, the students and the teachers at Annunciation. We are praying. 

“What we know is that emergency responders are on the scene. And while we wait for more details about what happened this morning, we are sending our support to all the first responders, law enforcement officers, hospital and medical workers, and everybody who is supporting the response. 

“This is the first week of school for students at Annunciation. These families woke up this morning to celebrate milestones in their children’s lives. Milestones like the first week of kindergarten. 

“We are heartbroken.

“This is a tragic day for our city—and a tragic day for Minnesotans. On the heels of a tragic year where we already lost our dear friends Melissa and Mark Hortman. And it’s unacceptable. It is far too commonplace in our nation. It’s just far too commonplace. 

“Folks, we need your prayers. We need your faith. And we need leadership to stop this evil.”