@mprnews: The father of one of the two children killed in a mass shooting at a south Minneapolis church and school spoke to the media about his son, Fletcher on Thursday. Jesse Merkel asked of those listening to, “please remember Fletcher for the person he was, and not the act that ended his life." Eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel is one of two children killed at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. Thursday evening, 10-year-old Harper Moyski was identified as the other young victim. Eighteen people were injured in the mass shooting Wednesday at Annunciation Catholic School and Church in Minneapolis, 15 of them were children. They were shot while at morning Mass celebrating the start of school. Video by Anne Guttridge, thumbnail photo by Ben Hovland

SĘBAẞÞIÆN :

Cryyyyyyystaaaaaal :

The United States is a JOKE.

Jaimermae :

So sad. This breaks my heart that families have to go through such a tragedy.

sam :

Him speaking less than 48 hours later to help make change is so commendable and brave.

Beth Llewellyn :

His shirt 😭 I bet it was one of his sons favorites 😫

AA :

He was 8. He was 8! He was 8… he was 8. 💔

Caitlin Reilly :

This country willingly kills children on its own soil and in other countries, daily.

sammalamma :

Him worrying about the other kids while his own was killed 😭

Angelina :

The cop crying in the back omgggg 😞😞😞

b :

i don’t know how he’s even giving this speech literally the day after losing his KID!

K :

Rest in Peace Fletcher, this government failed you😔

dropped croissant :

The officer in the back choking back tears. Absolutely devastating this continues to happen😭😭

drewmcfarlane :

The officer in the back holding back tears 😔

daze :

“i don’t understand how he can stand up there and do this after 48 hours” …he’s the dad. he’s the rock of the family. he honestly has no choice… he has to be the strong one for HIS family. i admire his strength 🩷

Shezzy :

I hate this country

218bound :

We failed Fletcher . That’s all I know .

Lauren Curry :

fletcher looks so much like his dad ☹️☹️

tr3von💤 :

so sad

Noush :

We could have saved them. He wasn’t alive when Sandy Hook happened. December 15, 2012 was the day policy should have changed that day. We could have saved so many souls

lunaavila846 :

Rest in peace Fletcher and all the other kids 😞

😁🤯😆😁😆 :

the officer crying in the back i can’t do this.

ꨄ︎ :

he is absolutely so strong. May God bless their family 🥺

natalie :

such a beautiful boy :( may he rest

Thai :

An eight year old. A baby.

tatexfit :

This absolutely broke me