'Give your kids an extra hug'; family open up about the children killed in MN school shooting

Family has identified 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski as the victims in the Annunciation Catholic School Shooting.

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The country's most recent horrific mass shooting happened at a private Catholic school near Minneapolis. The children were attending a church service when, according to police, a shooter opened fire through the windows of the church.

Two children were killed, and fifteen other children were hurt. Three adult parishioners were also injured.

Family members have now identified the children who were killed as 10-year-old Harper Moyski and 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel.

Merkle was described as an all-American 8-year-old who loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking and sports. His father revealed he was the youngest of three children, and his two siblings were also in the church that morning. They were not hurt in the shooting.

Moyski was a big sister, and recognized as a light for those around her.

"Harper was a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her," said Harper's family in a statement. 

“Yesterday a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son Fletcher away from us. Because of their actions, 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,” Jesse Merkel, Fletcher's father, said at a news conference.

Both families expressed thanks for the first responders who worked the scene and the community who have shown support in the days since.

“Give your kids an extra hug and kiss today. We love you. Fletcher, you’ll always be with us," his father said.

Don't Name Them

According to police, the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. That is all we're going to share about them here.

A movement called "Don't Name Them" requests that once a killer is captured, brought to justice, or dies, they are no longer part of the story.

This is the explanation posted on the organization's website.

It is journalistically routine to name the killer. It’s public record and it is important to use their names and likenesses to apprehend them and bring them to justice. However, once they are captured, it’s really no longer a part of the story, other than to create a call to action for a like-minded killer to take their plans and thoughts and make them into deeds.

The movement is based on evidence that shows some suspects are motivated by a desire for fame, notoriety, and recognition. So, if potential shooters, who are considering committing a similar act, see that kind of coverage on the news, it can encourage copycat behavior.

This movement is supported by the FBI and many parents of children whose lives were cut short by gun violence.

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