THE first child victim of the Minneapolis Catholic school shooting has been named as eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel.
Fletcher was one of two children killed during mass at Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday as his father paid a heartbreaking tribute.
Family HandoutThe first child victim of the Minneapolis Catholic school shooting has been named as eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel[/caption]
Fletcher’s dad Jessie read out a heartbreaking statement and tribute to his son today
APFlowers and notes have been placed at a memorial after Wednesday’s school shooting[/caption]
Sick lone gunman Robin Westman, 23, fired 116 bullets at defenseless kids and teachers in the horror attack.
Another 18 people were injured, including children aged between six and 15 as well as three adults in their 80s.
They were all said to be sat in pews inside the church as Westman, dressed in all black and carrying three guns, opened fire with a rifle through the stained glass windows.
The killer then turned the gun on himself in the parking lot before police could arrive.
In a heartbreaking statement, Fletcher’s dad Jessie said: “Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking, and any sports that he was allowed to play.
“While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time, our family can find healing.”
The devastated father added that Fletcher was “on the path to becoming to a wonderful young man”.
Jessie didn’t say Robin’s name as spoke today but instead referred to him as a “coward”.
He blamed him for taking away his ability to “hold him, talk to him, play with him, and watch him grow”.
The name of the second 10-year-old victim is yet to be confirmed.
Minneapolis’s main trauma hospital Hennepin Healthcare is still caring for nine patients injured in the shooting.
This includes one child who remains in a critical condition, according to the hospital’s interim CEO Thomas Klemond.
Children’s Minnesota Hospital also has three children still in its care.
What we know about the Minneapolis shooting…
Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed while praying in pews
17 others were injured, including 14 children, and a local hospital is currently treating nine pediatric patients
The suspect has been identified as Robin Westman, a 23-year-old who died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot
Westman uploaded a sick video manically laughing minutes before the shooting, showing off disturbing messages written across multiple guns, including a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol with several magazines
Sobbing children were evacuated from the church to reunite with their worried parents, with one boy overheard telling his dad, “I don’t feel safe”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he was briefed and is “praying for our kids and teachers”
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation and ordered flags at half-staff to mourn the victims
The Annunciation Catholic School was starting only its first week back and was holding the first mass of the year when the children were attacked.
Although a motive hasn’t been officially released, the shooter posted a disturbing video with what appeared to be a manifesto, apologizing to his family members.
The footage then showed multiple guns scribbled with offensive phrases as Westman displayed a great deal of bullets and writings.
In the 11-minute clip seen by The U.S. Sun before it was taken down, the stash of guns shown had several disturbing phrases scrawled on the sides.
The shooter also apologized to family members of the victims, but expressed disdain for the innocent children targeted in the deadly attack.
A rifle, shotgun, and pistol were all on Westman during the sick attack.
He fired off 116 rounds with a rifle, 3 shotgun bullets, and attempted to shoot the pistol, but it got stuck, according to police.
All of the weapons were purchased legally by the shooter soon before the crime, cops confirmed.
Survivors have recalled the chaos that unfolded inside the church as fifth grader Weston Halsne told CNN he and his pal hid under the pews as shots were fired.
Halsne’s pal shielded him, blocking him from being hit.
“First I was like, ‘What is that?’” he told the NBC affiliate WSNS-TV.
“Then I heard again, I just ran under the pew, and then I covered my head.”
“My friend Victor like saved me, though, because he laid on top of me, but he got hit.”
Halsne, 10, said he felt what he thought was gunpowder on his neck.
The shooting has reignited a fierce debate over gun laws in the US.
Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey has now called for a statewide and federal ban on assault weapons.
In a powerful message, Frey said: “Thoughts and prayers are not going to cut it. It’s on all of us to see this through.
“We need a statewide and a federal ban on assault weapons.
“We’re not talking about your father’s hunting rifle gear. We’re talking about guns that are built to pierce armour and kill people.”
Robin Westman, 23, penned hundreds of letters before carrying out a shooting at a Catholic church in Minnesota
ReutersThe tragedy unfolded at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minnesota[/caption]
ReutersFamilies console each other outside the church[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
