First slain Minneapolis school shooting victim ID’d as Fletcher Merkel, 8, as heartbroken father speaks out

One of the young students killed in a mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic church was identified Thursday as his father tore into the “coward” gunman who took his son’s life.

Fletcher Merkel, 8, and another 10-year-old student “were killed where they sat” in pews during a back-to-school Mass when 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire through the stained glass windows of Annunciation Church and Catholic School on Wednesday.

Jessie Merkel, Fletcher’s father, struggled to fathom how the actions of such a “coward” could’ve taken his son away.

“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 heartbroken father said at a press conference.

“I’ve heard many stories accounting the swift and heroic actions of children and adults alike from inside the church. Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more. For these people, I am thankful.”

Eighteen others, mainly children between 6 and 15 years old, were injured in the rampage carried out by the transgender shooter.

As of Thursday afternoon, nine victims were still hospitalized, including a child in critical condition, officials with Hennepin County Medical Center said.

One of the young students killed in a mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic church was identified Thursday as his father tore into the “coward” gunman who took his son’s life.

Fletcher Merkel, 8, and another 10-year-old student “were killed where they sat” in pews during a back-to-school Mass when 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire through the stained glass windows of Annunciation Church and Catholic School on Wednesday.

Jessie Merkel, Fletcher’s father, struggled to fathom how the actions of such a “coward” could’ve taken his son away.

“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 heartbroken father said at a press conference.

“I’ve heard many stories accounting the swift and heroic actions of children and adults alike from inside the church. Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more. For these people, I am thankful.”

Eighteen others, mainly children between 6 and 15 years old, were injured in the rampage carried out by the transgender shooter.

As of Thursday afternoon, nine victims were still hospitalized, including a child in critical condition, officials with Hennepin County Medical Center said.