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The 8-year-old killed in the tragic Annunciation Catholic School shooting Wednesday was identified by his father as Fletcher Merkel.
He was one of two children killed in the mass shooting in Minneapolis. The other was a 10-year-old whose identity has not been publicly released.
“Yesterday, a cowardly act robbed us of our 8-year-old son, Fletcher. Due to these actions, we will no longer be able to embrace him, converse with him, play with him, or witness him flourish into the promising young man he was destined to become,” said Fletcher’s father, Jesse Merkel, during a news conference outside the school on Thursday.
He said his son loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking and sports.
“While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time, our family can find healing,” Merkel said.
Fletcher was the second youngest in a family of four siblings, shared family spokesperson Blois Olson. He and his two elder siblings were present at the Mass yesterday, while the other two siblings present were unharmed in the shooting.
Merkel also expressed prayers for the healing of the other victim’s family and wished for a full recovery for all the injured, both physically and mentally, as they cope with the impact.
“In the past day, I’ve heard numerous accounts of the rapid and brave actions of both children and adults within the church. Without their selfless deeds, the tragedy could have been far worse. I am grateful to these individuals,” Merkel said. “Please remember Fletcher for who he was, not for the tragic event that ended his life.”
He closed out his brief remarks saying: “Give your kids an extra hug and kiss today. We love you. Fletcher, you’ll always be with us.”
Fifteen other children, ages 6 to 15, were injured in the shooting, as well as three adult parishioners.
Two of the victims were in critical condition as of Thursday morning, a hospital official said.
The shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.
Joseph Thompson, the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, stated on Thursday that the suspect had an obsession with historical school shooters and mass murderers from our country’s past.
“Most importantly, the shooter sought to harm children,” Thompson stated. “The shooter harbored an obsession with the idea of harming innocent children. Helpless children.”
Authorities have said that Westman had three legally purchased firearms, a shotgun, a rifle and a pistol. More than 100 rifle rounds were recovered at the scene, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
Authorities also found three shotgun rounds and one live bullet that was trapped in a handgun after it appeared to have jammed, O’Hara said.
