A father made an emotional statement, calling the shooter a coward for taking the life of his 8-year-old son, Fletcher. (Merkel Family)
Minneapolis
A Minneapolis father has identified his son as one of two children who died in Wednesday’s Catholic school shooting.
Jessie Merkel made an emotional statement on Thursday, calling the shooter a coward for taking the life of his 8-year-old son, Fletcher.
“Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son Fletcher away from us,” Merkel said. “Because of their actions. We will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, or play with him. And watch him grow into the wonderful young man.”
Police said the other child killed in the shooting was a 10-year-old student at the Annunciation Catholic Church, but has not yet been named.
“While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled. I hope that in time our family can find healing,” the father said. “I pray that the other victim’s family can find some semblance of the same. I’m hopeful that all the wounded are able to make a full recovery and return home to their families.”
Minneapolis families continue to grapple with the deadly shooting that occurred at the Catholic school.
The two children were killed and more than a dozen others were injured after shots rang out as students and teachers took part in the first full Mass of the school year.
The FBI identified the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman, who died by suicide and was a former student at Annunciation Catholic School.
A memorial has since grown outside the church with flowers and notes.
Authorities said they are continuing to look into a motive for the shooting.