Families and friends have publicly identified the two children killed and some of the 18 other people injured after the mass shooting on Wednesday at a Catholic school church in Minneapolis.
[time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”]
An investigation is underway for the motives of the suspected gunman Robin Westman—who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound—after firing dozens of rounds into a morning Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz earlier extended his condolences to the victims and said that he spoke with President Donald Trump, who offered his support to the community.
The school’s affiliated parish called for prayer and support for the victims of the tragic shooting.
“No words can capture what we have gone through, what we are going through, and what we will go through in the coming days and weeks,” parish officials said in a statement. “But we will navigate this—together.”
Here’s what we know so far about the victims.
Fletcher Merkel, 8
Eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel was attending Mass with two of his three siblings—who were not injured in the shooting, a spokesperson for the family told NBC—when he was killed. His father, Jesse Merkel, told reporters outside the school on Thursday that because of the actions of “a coward,” Fletcher’s family “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 fishing, cooking, and “any sport that he was allowed to play,” his father said.A handwritten sign with Fletcher’s name and a note from his mother sits atop a pile of stuffed animals, flowers, and children’s books that have formed outside the church as a memorial. “I love you always and forever,” the note, signed “mom,” reads.
“I’ve heard many stories accounting the swift and heroic actions of children and adults alike from inside the church,” Jesse Merkel said. “Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more. For these people, I am thankful.”
Harper Moyski, 10
Ten-year-old Harper Moyski was the only other fatal victim of Wednesday’s shooting. Her parents, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, said in a statement to the media that their daughter was “a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her.”
“Our hearts are broken not only as parents, but also for Harper’s sister, who adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss. As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain,” the statement said.
Moyski’s family called on leaders and communities to take action towards addressing gun violence and the country’s mental health crisis.
“No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain,” the statement said. “Change is possible, and it is necessary—so that Harper’s story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies.”
A GoFundMe page organized by Cody Griggs, a family friend and neighbor, has raised more than $39,000 of a $60,000 goal as of the end of Thursday. “Contributions made to this fund will be utilized by the family in honor of Harpers memory with a portion donated in Harper’s honor to a non-profit to be identified at a later date,” Griggs wrote in a message on the fundraiser page.
Endre Gunter, 13
A GoFundMe page for 13-year-old Endre Gunter, an eighth grader, said he was “tragically shot twice” in the Annunciation Catholic School shooting.
“Right now, he is recovering from surgery at the hospital, surrounded by his loved ones and the best medical team possible,” a message from Gunter’s aunt Natalie Davis and family said.
The message said that Gunter showed “strength and faith beyond his years” as he was being attended to, sharing that he looked at the surgeon before his surgery to ask, “Can you say a prayer with me?”
More than $132,000 of a $180,000 target had been raised for Gunter’s medical bills and rehabilitation as of the end of Thursday.
In a statement to CNN, Gunter’s mother Danielle extended her gratitude to a Minneapolis police officer who assisted them in getting medical aid immediately after the shooting. “He said the officer rendered aid, hugged him, reassured him, and prayed with him before getting into the ambulance,” Gunter’s mother said.
Sophia Forchas, 12
Twelve-year-old Sophia Forchas, “a bright, kind, and full of life young girl,” underwent emergency surgery and is in critical condition in the ICU after she was shot, according to a GoFundMe page set up on behalf of her family.
According to the fundraising platform, Forchas’ younger brother was inside the school when the shooting happened but was not injured, and her mother, a pediatric critical care nurse, arrived at work that day to assist with the tragedy before learning that her daughter was one of those critically injured in the attack.
The GoFundMe already raised about $480,000 of its $620,000 target as of the end of Thursday. The proceeds will go towards Forchas’ medical care, counseling for her and her brother, and supporting the family.“
Sophia was born and raised in our St. Mary’s parish, immersed in the life of the Church together with her extended family of several generations who are devoted members of our congregation,” Father Timothy Sas of St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis wrote on Facebook.
David Haeg
David Haeg was one of the children critically injured in the attack, and he has undergone surgery and will remain in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for at least five more days, according to a GoFundMe page set up in support of his family.
“His road to recovery will be long, but he is showing incredible strength and resilience,” wrote Beth Holine, who is organizing the fundraiser on behalf of Haeg’s family. More than $47,000 of a $55,000 goal had been raised as of the end of Thursday.
Victor and his sister
Weston Halsne, a fifth-grade student at the school, recalled the shooting to reporters. “It was like shots fired, and then we kind of like got under the pews. They shot through the stained glass windows, I think, and it was really scary.” Halsne then said his friend Victor “got hit in the back,” and was sent to the hospital. “I was super scared for him, but I think now he’s okay,” Halsne said.
A GoFundMe page set up by Mike Kelly, Victor’s uncle, on behalf of a beneficiary named Annie G has raised more than $120,000 of a $150,000 as of the end of Thursday to cover the costs associated with Victor’s recovery. “His selfless acts help to save many, but he and his sister were injured in the process,” Kelly wrote. “Victor is one of the brave victims who survived the tragedy that unfolded.”
Daughter of Brock Safe
Brock Safe told ABC 7 Chicago that his 10-year-old daughter, who has not been publicly named, was among those injured.
“Two bullets whiz by. But one bullet hit her here,” he said, grazing the front of his forehead. “And then she has another bullet fragment embedded into her skull.”
Safe said his family is “beyond lucky” that his daughter survived but that “other people weren’t as lucky, and it’s awful.”
He also called for gun control reform. “We have this analog society when it comes to gun control, and it’s infuriating,” Safe said, emphasizing that the shooter “should never, ever have [had] the opportunity” to carry out the attack.
11 others injured
Eleven others were injured, including children aged 8 to 15 years old, as well as three parishioners in their 80s who have yet to be identified.
Officials from Hennepin County Medical Center gave an update on Thursday morning, saying nine patients are under their care, six of whom were in “satisfactory condition,” five of whom are children. An adult and a child were in “serious condition,” while another child was in “critical condition.”
“Students deserve to start the school year full of hope and excitement,” Gov. Tim Walz posted on X on Thursday, announcing that he was deploying state law enforcement to schools and places of worship. “No child in America should go to school apprehensive of danger, of losing a classmate, of gunshots during prayer.”
Darby Voeks, a youth leader who used to attend the school rushed to it to help in the aftermath of the shooting after another youth minister called him, told ABC 7 Chicago, “We’re learning from our kids. I think they haven’t been corrupted by some of the brokenness in our world, and they’re so pure and so innocent and sweet, which is why this is so hard.” He added: “I think they also set the model for how we’re supposed to live.”