The two children killed in an attack on a Catholic school in Minneapolis were identified by parents as Harper Moyski, a “happy” older sister, while Fletcher Merkel likes “any sport he is allowed to participate in.”
Harper, 10, and Fletcher, 8, were killed in the shooting, and 18 people were injured when the mass was celebrated at the Angel Catholic Church on Wednesday.
“Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son Fletcher away from us,” his father, Jesse Merkel, said in a press conference on Thursday, adding: “Remember Fletcher is the act of ending his life.”
Harper’s family said she was “smart, happy, and deeply loved”.
In his emotional statement to reporters, Mr. Merkel said attack Kill Fletcher: “We will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him, watch him grow into the wonderful young man he is walking on.”
He said his son loves his family, cooking and exercising – especially fishing.
He added that he hopes that the injured will recover quickly and that these victims (especially the children) can “recover psychologically and find a life, a happy and fulfilling life”.
Merkel suffocated tears and asked the public to remember that his son was the 8-year-old boy he loved, not the way he died.
“Give your kids an extra hug and kiss today,” he said. “We love you. Fletcher, you will always be with us.”
The family said they wanted to build a scholarship fund in their son’s name.
The parents of Harper Moyski, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin said in a statement that their daughter was “a smart, happy and deeply loved 10-year-old who moved everyone who knew her with laughter, kindness and spirit.”
The family said Harper’s sister “worships her elder sister, and is grieving, unimaginable losses.”
“As a family, we are broken and words cannot capture the depth of our pain.”
They added that the family hopes “memory is action” to stop gun violence.
“No family has to endure this pain,” they said. “Change is possible, it is necessary – so Harper’s story won’t be another in a series of tragedies.”
“Harper’s light will always shine on us, and we hope that her memory will inspire others to work towards a safer, more compassionate world,” they said.
The injured included 15 other children aged 6 to 15, and three adults in their 80s.
At least one victim is still in critical condition.
Vigils were held in Minneapolis and the neighboring city of St. Paul, and the flags had been ordered to half-mast.
Silence was held Wednesday before a baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Police have not found it yet Any clear motive for attackbut said the attacker possessed extreme anti-religious beliefs and had studied before.
The killer’s mother also worked at school before retirement and he did not respond to law enforcement’s attempts to contact her.
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