Families of Minneapolis Church Shooting Victims Pay Loving Tributes

U.S.|Families of Minnesota Shooting Victims Pay Loving Tributes

On Wednesday, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel went to school full of plans for the future. His mother, Mollie, gave him $20 to go to Starbucks with his siblings after school. It was going to be the first time he ordered on his own.

He was looking forward to finishing the first Harry Potter book and starting the second one, his parents said Friday. He wanted to learn how to make beef Wellington. He was excited about his father coaching him in flag football. There were Lego structures to build. More grilled cheese sandwiches to make. More frogs, bunnies, worms and turtles to bring into the house and inspect.

All of that was cut short that morning when an assailant armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a handgun fired on the school as Fletcher and other children sat in a Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, mere days after he had started third grade.

Fletcher and a 10-year-old student, Harper Moyski, were killed. And at least 15 children between the ages of 6 and 15, along with three adults in their 80s, were injured. The toll is only beginning to be felt by family members, friends, the school and the city.

In a statement given to other news outlets, including KARE-TV of Minneapolis, Harper’s parents described their daughter as someone who was full of happiness and infectious energy.

“Harper was a bright, joyful and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness and spirit touched everyone who knew her,” they said.