Additional Coverage:
- Second victim of Minnesota church shooting identified as ‘bright, joyful and deeply loved’ 10-year-old (the-independent.com)
Minneapolis School Shooting Claims Two Young Lives, Injures Many More
Tragedy struck Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday when a shooter opened fire, killing two children and injuring 18 others, mostly children, during the first Mass of the school year. The two young victims have been identified as 10-year-old Harper Moyski and 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel.
Harper’s parents, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, released a statement expressing their devastation at the loss of their “bright, joyful, and deeply loved” daughter. They also shared their heartbreak for Harper’s sister, who is grieving the unimaginable loss of her older sibling. Fletcher’s father, Jessie Merkel, spoke at a press conference on Thursday, sharing his grief and anger at having his son so senselessly taken from him.
Among the injured are 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, who remains in critical condition after undergoing emergency surgery. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support her and her family during this difficult time.
Eighth-grader Endre Gunter, 13, is also recovering from surgery after being shot twice in the stomach. His aunt shared a touching story of Endre’s courage, recounting how he asked a surgeon to pray with him before his surgery.
The shooter, identified as Robin Westman, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. Authorities are investigating a possible motive.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated on social media that Westman’s actions appear to be an “act of domestic terrorism motivated by a hate-filled ideology,” citing anti-Catholic and anti-religious references found in a manifesto and on Westman’s weapons. However, online writings attributed to Westman seem to discount any specific motive.
Police recovered 116 rifle rounds at the scene.
This devastating incident follows the killing of two Minnesota lawmakers in June and has reignited the debate surrounding gun control. Manuel Oliver, whose son was a victim of the 2018 Parkland school shooting, called on the president to take action to prevent future tragedies.