Outside Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Jesse Merkel confirmed that his son Fletcher, 8, was one of the children who died in the mass shooting at the school.

“Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son, Fletcher, away from us,” Merkel said. “Because of their actions, 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 and friends, fishing, cooking “and any sport that he was allowed to play.”

Merkel urged people to remember his son for who he was and not the violence that ended his life.

“I’m hopeful that all the wounded are able to make a full recovery and return home to their families, and finally, all the people, and especially the chil

See Full Page