Minneapolis School Shooting
Father of Slain 8-Year-Old Speaks
Published
Fox 9
Jessie Merkel — the daddy of 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel, who was killed through the taking pictures at a Catholic college in Minnesota Wednesday — spoke out Thursday in a heartbreaking speech.
Merkel began out by calling Robin Westman — the shooter who cops say fired greater than 100 rounds by the home windows of a church right into a schoolwide Mass — a coward … including Robin’s actions robbed him and his associate of years with their son.
Merkel says Fletcher loved fishing, cooking, enjoying sports activities and spending time with family members … and, he asks individuals to attempt to bear in mind the type of child Fletcher was, as a substitute of pondering solely of his tragic loss of life.
Merkel says he hopes wounded victims within the taking pictures will get better … and, he says he is praying for the household whose 10-year-old baby was additionally killed within the taking pictures.
8/27/25
CNN
Jessie thanks the opposite college students and adults within the church who helped rush youngsters out of hazard through the assault … and, he says he is grateful they had been in a position to cease the tragedy from changing into even worse.
Merkel asks for empathy throughout this troublesome time … and encourages these watching to carry their family members only a bit tighter immediately.
CNN
As you already know … Fletcher and one different baby had been killed within the taking pictures, which started round 8:30 AM native time Wednesday morning. At least 17 individuals had been injured and rushed to hospitals. Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound within the car parking zone.
Video captured quite a few youngsters streaming out of the church through the assault … older college students stopped to assist youthful youngsters, and adults ran again into the constructing to assist coax extra of the youngsters out.
