All Things Considered

Annunciation school principal: 'We're all hurting'

Two people embrace
Matt DeBoer, principle of Annunciation Catholic School, is embraced inside the gymnasium at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Minn., before a prayer vigil honoring the victims of a mass shooting that took place earlier in the day on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

Adults sprang into action Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School, sprinting toward the entrances to protect the children from gunfire.

“There were heroes in action that day,” school principal Matt DeBoer said.

Now, the school is taking time to grieve. In a conversation Thursday with MPR News host Clay Masters, DeBoer recalled the bible verse John 11:35: “Jesus wept.”

“Right now, we just need to weep and grieve and support each other,” DeBoer said.

Press play above to listen to DeBoer’s full conversation with Masters.