Remembering the Lives Lost: A Father’s Heartbreaking Tribute After the Minneapolis School Shooting

In the wake of a school shooting, the spotlight too often lands on the perpetrator, but it’s the victims—the innocent souls taken far too soon—who we should hold in our hearts and minds.

This week, tragedy struck in Minneapolis, claiming the lives of two young children. Their families are stepping forward, sharing stories of the light these kids brought into the world, and reminding us all of what’s truly been lost.

Honoring Fletcher’s Memory

The two children identified as victims in this heartbreaking incident are 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. According to police, they were killed when Robin Westman unleashed gunfire outside Annunciation Catholic Church and School on Wednesday.

For the first time, Fletcher’s dad, Jesse Merkel, opened up publicly. Standing at a press conference, his eyes filled with tears, he gave a raw, emotional tribute to his son that cut right to the core.

“Yesterday, some coward chose to rip our eight-year-old son Fletcher away from us forever,” Jesse said, his voice breaking. “I beg you, remember Fletcher for the amazing kid he was, not for the senseless violence that stole him.”

He painted a picture of Fletcher as a little boy full of life—someone who got a kick out of whipping up meals in the kitchen, cheering on his favorite sports teams, and casting lines while fishing. But more than anything, he cherished those simple family moments.

“We’ll never get to wrap our arms around him again, chat about his day, goof around with him, or see him blossom into the incredible man he was meant to be,” Jesse shared. He called his boy “bright, full of joy, and loved beyond words,” and wrapped up with a gut-wrenching plea: “Hold your kids a little tighter today, give them that extra kiss. We love you, Fletcher—you’re forever in our hearts.”

Harper’s Bright Spirit and a Call for Change

Harper Moyski, just 10 years old, was also taken in the attack. She’d just finished the school’s welcome Mass for the new year when everything unfolded.

Her family released a statement that’s equal parts tribute and rallying cry, capturing the essence of who she was while pushing for something better to come from this nightmare. They remembered Harper as a lively girl who could brighten any space she walked into, and who was the apple of her little sister’s eye.

“Our hearts are shattered—not just as mom and dad, but for Harper’s sister, who idolized her big sis and is now facing a loss no child should bear. As a family, we’re in pieces, and no words can touch the ache we’re feeling,” the statement said, as reported by NBC News.

But they didn’t stop at grief; they turned it toward hope and action. “Right now, we’re focused on honoring Harper and starting to heal, but we know her story can’t just fade away. No one should go through this hell.

“We call on our leaders and everyone in our communities to step up and do something real about gun violence and the mental health struggles tearing us apart. Change isn’t a pipe dream—it’s essential, so Harper doesn’t become just another statistic in an endless string of heartbreaks.”

The Broader Toll and What We Know So Far

Beyond the two lives lost, the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church wounded 18 others—15 of them kids, and three elderly folks. Doctors report that at least one victim is still clinging to life in the hospital.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed the suspect, Robin Westman, turned the gun on himself and died at the scene.

Investigators say Westman legally bought three firearms: a shotgun, a rifle, and a pistol. They found more than 100 rifle rounds scattered around the area.

As for why this happened, there’s no solid motive yet, but word is the shooter shared a manifesto on Facebook right before it all went down.