The parents of the two children killed in the Aug. 27 school shooting in Annunciation church in Minneapolis said their children were loving and joy-filled, and it will take time to heal from their loss.
Jesse Merkel, the father of 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel, said his son loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking and “any sport he was allowed to play.”
Harper Moyski was a “bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone,” said her parents, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, in a statement obtained by OSV News.
“Our hearts are broken not only as parents, but also for Harper’s sister, who adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss. As a family, we are shattered,” they said.
Fifteen other children and three adults were injured in the shooting during an all-school Mass. The suspected shooter died at the scene of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police have said.
Merkel said tearfully about his son, “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.”
“While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time, our family can find healing,” Merkel said. “I hope the other victim’s family can find some semblance of the same.”
Harper’s parents said their hearts were broken — and they urged action to address gun violence and a national mental health crisis.
“While our immediate focus is on Harper and our family’s healing, we also believe it is important that her memory fuels action,” they wrote. “No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain. We urge our leaders and communities to take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country.”
“Harper’s light will always shine through us, and we hope her memory inspires others to work toward a safer, more compassionate world.”
Merkel said he is hopeful that the wounded will make a full recovery and return home to their families, and he hopes everyone, especially the children, impacted by the event will recover mentally and “find strength to live loving, happy and full lives.”
“Over the past day, I’ve heard many stories recounting the swift and heroic actions of children and adults alike inside the church. Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more,” Merkel said. “For these people, I’m thankful.
“Moving forward, we ask not for your sympathy, but your empathy as our family and the Annunciation community grieve and try to make sense of such a senseless act of violence,” Merkel said.
“Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life. Give your kids an extra hug and kiss today. We love you, Fletcher. You’ll always be with us.”
