THE two victims of the Minneapolis Catholic school shooting have been named as Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski.
Eight-year-old Fletcher and 10-year-old Harper were both killed during mass at Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday with their families now paying heartbreaking tributes.
In a heartbreaking statement, Fletcher’s dad Jessie said: “Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking, and any sports 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.”
The devastated father added that Fletcher was “on the path to becoming to a wonderful young man”.
Jessie didn’t say Robin’s name as spoke today but instead referred to him as a “coward”.
He blamed him for taking away his ability to “hold him, talk to him, play with him, and watch him grow”.
Fletcher’s grieving father also asked the public to remember his little boy “for the person he was and not the act that ended his life”.
Harper Moyski’s parents also announced their daughter was killed in the shooting on Thursday as they called her a “bright, joyful and deeply-loved 10 year old whose laughter, kindness and spirit touched everyone who knew her.”
They added the family “are shattered and words cannot capture the depth of our pain.”
Their tribute 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.:
The grief-stricken parents then called for action on gun laws, insisting their daughter’s memory should “fuel action”.
They said: “We urge our leaders and communities to take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country.
“Change is possible and it is necessary – so that Harper’s story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies.”
Sick lone gunman Robin Westman, 23, fired 116 bullets at defenseless kids and teachers in the horror attack.
Another 18 people were injured, including children aged between six and 15 as well as three adults in their 80s.
They were all said to be sat in pews inside the church as Westman, dressed in all black and carrying three guns, opened fire with a rifle through the stained glass windows.
The killer then turned the gun on himself in the parking lot before police could arrive.
Minneapolis’s main trauma hospital Hennepin Healthcare is still caring for nine patients injured in the shooting.
This includes one child who remains in a critical condition, according to the hospital’s interim CEO Thomas Klemond.
Children’s Minnesota Hospital also has three children still in its care.
The Annunciation Catholic School was starting only its first week back and was holding the first mass of the year when the children were attacked.
Although a motive hasn’t been officially released, the shooter posted a disturbing video with what appeared to be a manifesto, apologizing to his family members.
The footage then showed multiple guns scribbled with offensive phrases as Westman displayed a great deal of bullets and writings.
In the 11-minute clip seen by The U.S. Sun before it was taken down, the stash of guns shown had several disturbing phrases scrawled on the sides.
The shooter also apologized to family members of the victims, but expressed disdain for the innocent children targeted in the deadly attack.
A rifle, shotgun, and pistol were all on Westman during the sick attack.
He fired off 116 rounds with a rifle, 3 shotgun bullets, and attempted to shoot the pistol, but it got stuck, according to police.
All of the weapons were purchased legally by the shooter soon before the crime, cops confirmed.
Survivors have recalled the chaos that unfolded inside the church as fifth grader Weston Halsne told CNN he and his pal hid under the pews as shots were fired.
Halsne’s pal shielded him, blocking him from being hit.
“First I was like, ‘What is that?’” he told the NBC affiliate WSNS-TV.
“Then I heard again, I just ran under the pew, and then I covered my head.”
“My friend Victor like saved me, though, because he laid on top of me, but he got hit.”
Halsne, 10, said he felt what he thought was gunpowder on his neck.
The shooting has reignited a fierce debate over gun laws in the US.
Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey has now called for a statewide and federal ban on assault weapons.
In a powerful message, Frey said: “Thoughts and prayers are not going to cut it. It’s on all of us to see this through.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/15070775/minneapolis-school-shooting-victim-pictured/
