MINNEAPOLIS — A family is finding strength in their community as their two children, who survived a mass shooting that killed two classmates and injured 21 others at Annunciation Catholic School, begin the long process of healing.
Carla and Pedro Maldonado live just blocks from their children’s school and were among the first to arrive after a shooter opened fire during the school’s morning Mass on Wednesday. They searched for their own children — Pilar, 7, and Pablo, 11 — while reaching out to other parents to let them know their kids were safe.
“Probably the worst 20 minutes in my life,” Pedro Maldonado told NBC News on Sunday. “The desperation only a parent can experience in these cases, terrible. And at the same time, trying to help the other kids that are desperate.”
Carla Maldonado says she’s taking life one hour at a time, focusing on ensuring her family’s most basic needs are met. An experienced trauma therapist, she says she’s also prioritizing their emotional recovery.
The past few days have been defined by togetherness, she added, saying the best healing her kids can experience is time with their friends.
“They will share maybe with us, maybe not,” Carla Maldonado said. “But when we see them get together and we overhear some of their conversations, it’s like, yeah, this is who you need. These are the only people that are going to know what you went through on a level that nobody else will ever know.”
Earlier Sunday, Pablo and his father attended Mass to hear the Rev. Dennis Zehren offer words of consolation. The community was starting from a “humble beginning” after a week of darkness, Zehren told his parishioners.
“We welcome the dawn of a new day here in Annunciation,” Zehren said. “We welcome the light of a new day, and it’s a light that will scatter every darkness. It’s a light that will never fade.”
Zehren reflected on what he called a “kind of funny mystery,” where light shines the brightest when darkness is at its most intense.
“I have never seen such an outpouring of love,” Zehren told the congregation. “I have never been so proud of the faithful followers of Jesus, never been so grateful for our church, never been so filled with love that just comes from above and beyond.”
Going back to church was a bit nerve-racking for Pablo, who says he was worried the shooting might happen again. But ultimately, he says, he was glad that he went.
“[It’s] nice to, like, go to church again,” Pablo said. “Even though I’m a little traumatized by going to church, it’s just good to be, like, praying about it ... be with God.”
Pablo doesn’t like to talk about last week’s shooting, but being around his friends has helped break the cycle of overwhelming emotions.
“I really hope it’s gonna go easier, like, every day,” Pablo said about returning to services.
His sister, Pilar, chose not to attend the service, saying that whenever she does go to church she thinks she’ll probably “hide under the pews.” That is exactly what she did Wednesday morning when Robin Westman fired a rifle through the side windows at Annunciation Catholic School’s church.
“I was saying, ‘It’s too early for me to die. I’m just 7 years old. I’m just a kid. I need more life, and God, please protect me,’” Pilar said.
But Pilar also says she’s doing much better, especially after seeing friends who survived.
“It helps because I know they’re not hurt, and it feels way better to see them not hurt,” Pilar said.
For Carla and Pedro Maldonado, the last few days have been a flood of emotions, with waves of grief, guilt, anger and sadness mixed with gratitude. They know healing for their family will take time.
“As a parent, this is something that I wish nobody ever, ever goes through this, because it’s a feeling that nobody can imagine,” Pedro Maldonado said. “Especially when you’re in a church, and the ones inside the church are kids praying for a better world.”
