Victims of Minneapolis shooting, ages 8 and 10, identified

Two children who were killed during an attack on a Catholic school in Minneapolis were identified by their parents like Harper Moyski, a “joyful” big sister, and Fletcher Merkel, who loved “all sport he was allowed to play”.

While celebrating mass at the Annunciation Catholic Church on Wednesday, Harper, 10, and Fletcher, 8, were killed in a firearm attack that also injured 18 people.

“Yesterday, a coward decided to move away from our eight -year -old Fletcher son,” his father said on Thursday, Jesse Merkel, during a press conference, adding: “Do not forget Fletcher for the person he was and not for the act that put his life to his life.”

Harper’s family said they were “brilliant, joyful and deeply loved”.

In an emotional statement to journalists, Mr. Merkel said that because of the attack that killed Fletcher, “we will never be allowed to hold him, speak to him, play with him and look at him becoming the wonderful young man he was on the way to become.”

He said that his son loved his family, cooking and sports – especially fishing.

He added that he hoped that the wounded could recover quickly and that these victims – especially children – could “mentally recover and find strength to live loving, happy and full of life”.

By stifling tears, Mr. Merkel asked that the public can remember his son for the 8 -year -old loving boy he was, and not the way he died.

“Give your children a hug and he kiss today,” he said. “We love you. Fletcher, you will always be with us.”

The family said they hoped to establish a scholarship fund in the name of their son.

The parents of Harper Moyski, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, said in a statement that their daughter “was a brilliant, joyful and deeply loved woman whose laughter, kindness and spirit touched all those who knew her”.

The family said that Harper’s little sister “loved her big sister and that she cries an unimaginable loss”.

“As a family, we are broken and words cannot capture the depth of our pain.”

They added that the family hopes that “their memory feeds action” to stop armed violence.

“No family should never have to endure this kind of pain,” they said. “Change is possible, and it is necessary – so that Harper’s story does not yet become another in a long line of tragedies.”

“Harper’s light will always shine through us, and we hope that his memory will inspire others to work towards a safer and more compassionate world,” they said, asking for intimacy in order “to cry, to support Harper’s sister and to stand firmly.”

The injured include 15 other schoolchildren, aged 6 to 15 and three adults in the 80s.

At least one victim remains in critical condition at the hospital.

Vieilles took place through Minneapolis and in the neighboring town of St Paul, and the flags were half ordered.

On Wednesday, a moment of silence took place before the baseball match between the Twins of Minnesota and the Blue Jays of Toronto.

Police has not yet discovered a clear reason for the attack, but said that the aggressor hosted extreme anti-religious beliefs and had already attended school.

The killer’s mother, who also worked at school before retiring, did not respond to attempts by the police to contact her.