Minneapolis Faculty Capturing
Father of Slain 8-12 months-Outdated Speaks
Printed
Fox 9
Jessie Merkel — the daddy of 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel, who was killed throughout the taking pictures at a Catholic college in Minnesota Wednesday — spoke out Thursday in a heartbreaking speech.
Merkel began out by calling Robin Westman — the shooter who cops say fired greater than 100 rounds by way of the home windows of a church right into a schoolwide Mass — a coward … including Robin’s actions robbed him and his companion of years with their son.
Merkel says Fletcher loved fishing, cooking, taking part in sports activities and spending time with family members … and, he asks folks to attempt to keep in mind the form of child Fletcher was, as an alternative of pondering solely of his tragic dying.
Merkel says he hopes wounded victims within the taking pictures will get well … and, he says he is praying for the household whose 10-year-old baby was additionally killed within the taking pictures.
8/27/25
CNN
Jessie thanks the opposite college students and adults within the church who helped rush youngsters out of hazard throughout the assault … and, he says he is grateful they had been in a position to cease the tragedy from turning into even worse.
Merkel asks for empathy throughout this troublesome time … and encourages these watching to carry their family members only a bit tighter in the present day.
CNN
As you already know … Fletcher and one different baby had been killed within the taking pictures, which started round 8:30 AM native time Wednesday morning. At the very least 17 folks had been injured and rushed to hospitals. Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound within the car parking zone.
Video captured quite a few kids streaming out of the church throughout the assault … older college students stopped to assist youthful youngsters, and adults ran again into the constructing to assist coax extra of the youngsters out.
