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A 'joyful' girl and a boy who loved sports - Victims in Minneapolis shooting identified

August 29, 2025

A gun attack during Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis resulted in the deaths of two children - 10-year-old Harper Moyski and 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel - while injuring 18 others. The victims' families have publicly shared their grief, with Fletcher's father Jesse Merkel asking people to remember his son for the loving child he was rather than how he died, while Harper's parents expressed hope that her memory would inspire action against gun violence. Police have not identified a clear motive but indicated the attacker held extreme anti-religious beliefs and had previously attended the school where 15 children and three elderly adults were among the wounded.

Who is affected

  • Two deceased children: Harper Moyski (10) and Fletcher Merkel (8)
  • The families of Harper and Fletcher, including Harper's younger sister and Fletcher's parents
  • 18 injured people, including 15 children (ages 6 to 15) and three adults in their 80s
  • Students and staff of Annunciation Catholic School
  • The Minneapolis community, particularly the Catholic community
  • The assailant's mother who formerly worked at the school

What action is being taken

  • Vigils are being held across Minneapolis and neighboring St. Paul
  • Flags have been ordered to fly at half-mast
  • Law enforcement is attempting to contact the killer's mother
  • Fletcher's family is planning to establish a scholarship fund in his name
  • Police are investigating the attack, particularly focusing on the assailant's anti-religious beliefs
  • Hospitals are providing medical care to the wounded, with at least one victim still in critical condition

Why it matters

  • The attack represents a devastating loss of young lives in a place of worship and education
  • The incident highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence targeting children and religious institutions
  • Both families have emphasized the need for action to prevent similar tragedies, with Harper's parents explicitly calling for measures to stop gun violence
  • The attack has traumatized an entire school community and neighboring cities
  • The incident raises questions about the motivations behind attacks on religious institutions

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC