The father of one of two schoolchildren fatally shot in a Minneapolis church spoke out for the first time on Thursday afternoon, imploring the shaken community to remember the eight-year-old by the life he led rather than by how he was killed.

Fletcher Merkel was killed on Wednesday morning when a shooter opened fire at a Mass that hundreds of students at Annunciation Catholic School attended, his father, Jesse Merkel, said Thursday, tearfully reading a statement outside of the church where his son was killed.

Merkel said Fletcher loved his family and friends and enjoyed fishing, cooking and playing any sport.

Because of the shooter's actions, Merkel said, “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.”

A 10-year-old child was also killed during the shooting, along with 15 other Annunciation students between the ages of 6 and 15 years old. Three adults — all in their 80s — were also shot. They have not been identified. Most of the victims are expected to survive, authorities said.