The parents of the two children killed in a mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school have identified them as eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel and ten-year-old Harper Moyski. The attack occurred on Wednesday morning at the Annunciation Catholic school church, where a former student opened fire, killing the two children and injuring 17 others, including 14 children.
Fletcher's father, Jesse Merkel, spoke outside the school on Thursday, expressing his grief. 'Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son, Fletcher, away from us,' he said. 'Because of their actions, we will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming.' He described Fletcher as loving his family, friends, fishing, cooking, and sports.
Harper's parents, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, released a statement remembering their daughter as a 'bright, joyful and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness and spirit touched everyone who knew her.' They urged leaders to address gun violence and the mental health crisis, saying, 'Change is possible, and it is necessary – so that Harper's story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies.'
The shooting took place during a mass marking the first week of school. Police identified the perpetrator as 23-year-old Robin Westman, a former student who fired into the church from outside through windows. The doors were locked during the service, which investigators believe saved 'countless lives'. Westman was found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
An exact motive remains unclear, but police said Westman had a 'deranged fascination' with mass shooters and was obsessed with killing children. A search warrant revealed three guns seized as evidence: a semiautomatic pistol, a pump-action shotgun, and a semiautomatic rifle, along with items possibly intended as a smoke bomb. Acting US Attorney General for Minnesota, Joseph Thompson, said writings left behind expressed hate towards many groups, including the Jewish community and President Trump.
The attack has reignited calls for stricter gun controls. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated, 'There is no reason that someone should be able to reel off 30 shots before they even have to reload. We're not talking about your father's hunting rifle here. We're talking about guns that are built to pierce armor and kill people.'
