Minneapolis Church Shooting: Hospital Staff Responds
A trauma surgeon from Hennepin Healthcare shared a touching moment from a recent shooting incident in Minneapolis. He recounted how a hospital staff member accompanied a young victim into the CT scanner. This nurse held the child’s hand, ensuring she didn’t have to endure the frightening experience alone.
“These are the kinds of things we witnessed yesterday,” Dr. John Gayden explained during a press briefing, noting that the injured were receiving treatment following the tragic mass shootings at Announcement Catholic Church. He described one victim as being a nurse manager for a different unit, highlighting how unexpected this type of situation can be for healthcare professionals.
As Dr. Gayden detailed, there was a young child who was understandably terrified and alone. To support her, a nurse bravely entered the CT scanner with the patient, effectively putting herself in harm’s way by staying in the room instead of evacuating. The nurse held the child’s hand throughout the process, offering comfort as they moved through the scanner.
There were many unsung heroes that day, including one child who bravely protected others during the shooting, as noted by Hennepin EMS chief Marty Schaer. The situation was undeniably intense, and Dr. Gayden mentioned how challenging it was to care for numerous injured children simultaneously. “Handling one child is tough; eight? That’s almost impossible,” he remarked, referring to the overwhelming nature of the recent events.
According to Hennepin Healthcare CEO Thomas Klemond, there were nine patients treated following the shooting—six of whom were listed in satisfactory condition, including five children. Two patients remain in serious condition: one adult and one child.
“This is an incomprehensible tragedy that has deeply affected our community and everyone involved,” Klemond said, emphasizing the hospital’s role as a trauma center. He acknowledged that while they routinely handle severe injuries, the emotional impact of such events weighs heavily on the staff as well. “This is part of our daily work, but we are human too,” he concluded.
