Two children killed in an attack on a Catholic school in Minneapolis have been identified by their parents as Harper Moyski, a “joyful” big sister, and Fletcher Merkel, who liked “any sport that he was allowed to play”.
Harper, 10, and Fletcher, 8, were slain in a gun attack on Wednesday while attending Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church, injuring 18 others.
“Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son Fletcher away from us,” his father, Jesse Merkel, said in a news conference on Thursday, adding, “Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life.”
Harper’s family stated that she was “bright, joyful, and deeply loved”.
In an emotional statement to reporters, Mr Merkel said that because of the attack that murdered Fletcher, “we will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him, and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming.”
He stated his son enjoyed his family, cooking, and sports, particularly fishing.
He added that he hoped those injured would heal swiftly and that the victims, particularly the children, would “recover mentally and find strength to live loving, happy, and full lives”.
Mr Merkel, choking back tears, requested the public to remember his son for the wonderful 8-year-old kid he was, rather than the way he died.
“Give your kids an extra hug and kiss today,” he said. “We love you. Fletcher, you’ll always be with us.”
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The family expressed their desire to establish a scholarship foundation in their son’s name.
Harper Moyski’s parents, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, said in a statement that their daughter “was a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her.”
Harper’s youngest sister, according to the family, “adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss”.
“As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain.”
They further stated that the family hopes “her memory fuels action” to stop gun violence.
“No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain,” they said. “Change is possible, and it is necessary – so that Harper’s story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies.”
“Harper’s light will always shine through us, and we hope her memory inspires others to work toward a safer, more compassionate world,” they said, asking for privacy in order “to grieve, to support Harper’s sister, and to hold tightly to one another.”
The injured include 15 young schoolchildren ranging in age from 6 to 15, as well as three people in their eighties.
At least one victim remains in critical condition in the hospital.
Vigils have been conducted around Minneapolis and the nearby city of St Paul, and flags have been ordered to fly at half-mast.
A moment of silence was observed before Wednesday’s baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Police have not yet determined a clear motive for the crime but say the assailant held radical anti-religious attitudes and had previously attended the school.
The killer’s mother, who worked at the school before retiring, has yet to reply to law enforcement attempts to contact her.
