‘Bright, Joyful, And Deeply Loved’: Parents Mourn Children Killed In Catholic School Attack

The two children killed by a trans-identifying shooter who opened fire at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday were identified by their families as 8-year-old Fletcher Alexander Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Lillian Moyski.

The parents of both Merkel and Moyski shared statements on Thursday, addressing the shooting and reflecting on the lives of their children who were mercilessly taken from them, CBS News reported.

“Yesterday, a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son, Fletcher, away from us. 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,” the Merkel family said in a statement. “Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking and any sport that he was allowed to play. While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time, our family can find healing. I pray that the other victim’s family can find some semblance of the same.”

The statement was read by Merkel’s father, Jesse, at a press conference on Thursday.

In a statement on Moyski, her family remembered her “laughter, kindness, and spirit” that they said “touched everyone who knew her.”

“We are devastated to share that our beloved daughter, Harper Moyski, was tragically killed in the recent school shooting. Harper was a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her,” the statement continued. “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, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain.”

Both families asked for privacy as they continue to grieve their tragic losses. The Merkel family added that they hope to set up a scholarship in Fletcher’s name.

The parents of the two children killed in the Annunciation Catholic School shooting spoke out on Thursday, with one father urging others to “give your kids an extra hug” as he remembered his son, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel. https://t.co/DXbYjfmnYk pic.twitter.com/1MBxAnplMc

— ABC News (@ABC) August 28, 2025

This is Harper Moyski.

Just 10-years-old, she was one of the kids killed at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.

Her parents: “Harper was a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her.” @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/F2n1qAQWe8

— Chenue Her (@ChenueHer) August 28, 2025

The gunman, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, wounded 18 other people — including 15 children — when he attacked the Catholic school. Authorities initially said 17 people were injured, but on Thursday, they said that one more child had been taken to the hospital in a private vehicle after the shooting. All of the wounded children are expected to survive, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.