Family of Two Children, 8 and 10, Killed During the
Families Mourn, Demand Change
Two grieving families are turning tragedy into a call for action after a gunman opened fire during a school Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis,
killing 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski.
Remembering Fletcher and Harper
“Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son, Fletcher, away from us,” said his father, Jesse Merkel.
“Remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life.”
Harper’s parents described her as “a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old,” adding,
“As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain.”
A Plea for Action
Harper’s family urged, “No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain… Change is possible, and it is necessary.”
A Community Shaken
The attack injured 18 people. The suspect, Robin Westman, died from a self-inflicted gunshot.
Vigils now fill parks as Minneapolis grieves—and families plead for steps to end gun violence.
