8-Year-Old Killed in Minneapolis School Shooting ID'd by Father as Fletcher Merkel By Christina Coulter 14

An 8-year-old killed in Wednesday’s attack on Catholic school students at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis has been identified by family as Fletcher Merkel.

“Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son Fletcher away from us,” the boy’s father, Jesse Merkel said in a statement, per CNN. “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.”

“Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking and any sport that he was allowed to play,” Merkel added. “I hope that in time, our family can find healing.”

PEOPLE previously reported that the shooting unfolded during a school Mass on the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 27. Two children were killed — Fletcher and a 10-year-old who has not been publicly identified — and 18 other people were wounded.

Officials said most of the injured were students, and three parishioners in their 80s were among those hurt. City officials later updated the injury count from 17 to 18 after identifying an additional wounded child, and authorities said all of the injured are expected to survive.

Gunfire came from outside the sanctuary while students, staff and parishioners were gathered for the service, per earlier coverage by PEOPLE — doors had been obstructed with two-by-fours before the shooting began.

The shooter was identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, a former Annunciation student who died by suicide in the school parking lot after carrying out the attack.

Investigators recovered a manifesto and said online materials tied to the case were posted around the time of the shooting. Westman’s mother previously worked at the school.

Teachers and students acted quickly to shield classmates and move people to safety — steps officials credited with preventing further bloodshed. City leaders mourned the victims, praised first responders and school staff, and emphasized that the investigation remains active as families begin the long recovery ahead. 

The Minneapolis community gathered at multiple vigils on Wednesday evening to mourn the lives lost in the act of gun violence, according to CNN coverage.

“You don’t think it’s going to happen in your community,” Kaliee Poling, who attended Annunciation Catholic School as a child, told the outlet. “And now, being a parent, I just can’t imagine what those kids went through [that] morning,” she added.