Summary (tl;dr)

A shooting at Stewartville Middle and High School in Stewartville, Minnesota, left a student wrestler critically injured and an adult male dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Friday morning. The incident prompted the cancellation of classes and a police investigation.

Essential Background

Stewartville, a city of just under 7,000 people, is a community where such violent incidents are considered "very rare" by local authorities. The tragic event unfolded as the Stewartville wrestling team was preparing to board a bus for an invitational event.

The Full Story

On Friday, December 12, 2025, around 5:00 a.m., a shooting occurred in the parking lot of Stewartville Middle and High School. A member of the wrestling team was shot while walking towards the team bus. Coaching staff and students located the injured student, and a second gunshot was heard shortly thereafter. Authorities discovered an adult male nearby with a rifle, who appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The injured student was transported to a hospital, where they underwent emergency surgery and are now in critical but stable condition. The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident and has not yet publicly identified the individuals involved or their connection. All Stewartville Public Schools classes were canceled for the day, and a reunification center was established for students and families.

Why It Matters

This event has deeply impacted the Stewartville community, leading to widespread concern and prayers for the injured student and all affected individuals. The rare nature of such a violent incident in Stewartville has created shock and a focus on school safety. The incident highlights the immediate and far-reaching consequences of gun violence, prompting local news outlets like KTTC and KROC-AM to provide extensive coverage and updates. Counselors and chaplains have been made available to offer support to those affected by the tragedy.

Geographic Location

• Stewartville Middle and High School parking lot, Stewartville, Olmsted County, Minnesota, United States (shooting incident)