Two children killed in Annunciation Catholic School shooting are identified

The two children killed in the Annunciation Catholic School shooting have been identified by family as 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski.

The two children killed in the tragic Annunciation Catholic School shooting Wednesday have been identified by family as 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski.

“Yesterday a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son Fletcher away from us. 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,” Jesse Merkel, Fletcher's father, said at a news conference outside the school Thursday.

He said his son loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking and sports.

“While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time, our family can find healing,” Merkel said.

Fletcher Merkel.Courtesy Merkel familyFletcher was the second youngest of four children in his family, according to family spokesperson Blois Olson. He and his two older siblings were attending Wednesday’s Mass, and the other two who were there were not injured in the shooting.