A Young Spirit’s Fight: Genevieve’s Story Amid Tragedy at Annunciation

In the heart of Minneapolis, where the spires of Annunciation Catholic Church rise as a beacon of community and faith, a day meant for new beginnings turned into every parent’s nightmare.

It was the first week of school, August 27, 2025, and families had gathered for an all-school Mass—a simple tradition filled with songs, prayers, and the innocent chatter of children. But in a flash of unimaginable violence, a shooter shattered that peace, targeting the young and vulnerable.

Two precious lives were lost that day: eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel and ten-year-old Harper Moyski, leaving families and friends with wounds that words can barely touch. 11 Amid the chaos, stories of quiet heroism emerged, like threads of light in the darkness, reminding us of the resilience hidden in even the smallest hearts.

At the center of one such story is Genevieve Bisek, an eleven-year-old girl whose world flipped upside down in an instant. Struck by a bullet to her neck, Genevieve was rushed to the Pediatric ICU at Hennepin County Medical Center, where she fights hour by hour in critical condition. 9 Her doctors, a team of tireless guardians in scrubs, are pulling out all the stops to guide her through this uncertain path.

It’s nothing short of a miracle that she’s still with us, her spirit clinging on despite the odds. Her father, in a heartfelt note shared with the world, captured the raw hope and fear every parent feels: surrounded by experts giving her every chance, yet facing a road that’s long, winding, and full of unknowns.

What makes Genevieve’s tale even more poignant is the bond with her older sister, who was right there in the midst of it all. As panic unfolded, her sister didn’t hesitate—she scooped up her “Mass buddy,” a younger child paired for the service, and hustled them both to safety. 10 Now, that brave teen grapples with the aftermath, wondering if life will ever feel normal again.

The sisters’ story echoes the courage seen in other kids that day: a boy shielding his friend from harm, a girl protecting her little buddy even as she faced surgery, another young one with a bullet graze on her forehead, yet still helping others hide. 10 These aren’t just survivors; they’re little warriors, their actions a testament to the pure, unfiltered goodness kids carry inside.

The Bisek family, like so many others touched by this horror, is navigating a storm of emotions and practical burdens. Medical bills pile up like uninvited guests, counseling sessions become a lifeline for the girls to process the trauma, and time away from work means lost income at the worst possible moment. 9 In response, a wave of kindness has swelled from the community.

A GoFundMe campaign, lovingly set up by a family friend named Carolyn Benz, is channeling support straight to them—covering those looming costs and offering a buffer so they can focus on healing rather than worry. 9 It’s raised thousands already, each donation a quiet vote of faith in Genevieve’s recovery. And it’s not alone; similar funds honor the other families, from the Merkels and Moyskis mourning their losses to kids like Vivian, Lydia, and Sophia, each battling their own scars. 11

As the days tick by—today marking just the third since the shots rang out—the city holds its breath. Hospitals report that while some children have been sent home to mend, others linger in serious or critical care, their futures a mix of hope and hard work. 11 Annunciation, a place of learning and worship, now stands as a symbol of shattered innocence, but also of unbreakable bonds.

Genevieve’s journey reminds us that even in the face of such senseless pain, love and community can weave a safety net stronger than any bullet. Her family leans on their faith, the same that brought them to that Mass, trusting it will carry them through. For Genevieve, that spunky eleven-year-old with a fighter’s heart, the road ahead is steep, but she’s not walking it alone. In her story, we see a call to cherish the everyday miracles—the hugs, the laughter, the simple joy of a school day—and to wrap our arms around those who need it most. Here’s to her healing, and to a world that chooses kindness over chaos.