It’s often the shooter who dominates headlines after a school tragedy — but it’s the innocent lives lost that truly deserve to be remembered.
This week, the Minneapolis school shooting claimed the lives of two children, and their families are now honoring who they were and the joy they brought to those around them.
“Please remember Fletcher”
Authorities have identified the victims as 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, who were killed when 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire outside Annunciation Catholic Church and School on Wednesday.
Fletcher’s father, Jesse Merkel, spoke publicly for the first time, delivering a heartbreaking tribute to his son. With tears in his eyes, he said, “Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son Fletcher away from us. Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life.”