Michiana community heartbroken following deadly shooting during Catholic school Mass

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- In the wake of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School, hearts are breaking in Michiana.

The Notre Dame community putting out a statement Wednesday afternoon, reading in part:

“…We grieve with the families who lost loved ones, pray for the injured, and stand in solidarity with the Annunciation School Family. We also extend our prayers and support to our Alliance for Catholic Education educators serving in the archdiocese as they accompany their students and colleagues through this time of sorrow."

The principal of Annunciation Catholic School, Matt Deboer, has ties to Notre Dame receiving his master's degree in 2015. 

Former U.S. Senator and former U.S. Ambassador to the Catholic Church, Joe Donnelly, said he was sick to his stomach when he learned about Wednesday's mass shooting.

“As the saying goes - we’re all in this same boat together now," he said. "We either work together and love one another instead of fighting with each other and constant culture wars and attacks on each other. If we love one another, we can do so much together. If we take the other road, it’s nothing but division and heartache." 

Derek Dieter retired in 2014 from his 39-year career at the South Bend Police Department, with 20 of those years spent as a SWAT team leader. 

Dieter now owns Dieter Security.

Part of what he does now is provide active shooter training to clients.

He believes the only way to stop a mass shooting is by having someone there who is trained in knowing what to do. 

"Real security, not just a person who wants to volunteer but somebody who knows what they're doing, at every school in the United States," said Dieter. “I think officers need to have a lot more training on [stopping a mass shooting] cause it can happen anytime, any town, big town, little town, stuff happens. But if you would equip your policemen with all the tools, train them, and also have people at every single school. The government can certainly afford that, so that’s how you do it." 

Donnelly said a safety program at every school is of the upmost importance.

“There’s been multiple school shootings this year," he said. "The sad truth is it could be anywhere at any time. Just do the best you can to take care of your family, to love one another. And for those with the incredible responsibility of watching out for our kids, thank you." 

David L. Maugel, superintendent of Catholic schools within the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend said their highest priority is the safety of their students and staff. He sent us a copy of the letter they sent out to families today. It reads in part:

"In light of the incident at the Minneapolis Catholic School, we are specifically analyzing our procedures for school Masses. While all of our schools already have safety protocols in place, we will be reviewing how students are transferred from the school to the church and ensuring that safety personnel are strategically placed throughout the service."