8-year-old Fletcher Merkel's grieving dad calls Minneapolis shooter a 'coward' for taking son's life

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Eight-year-old Fletcher Markel was one of two students who lost their lives when 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire in a church while students from Annunciation Catholic School celebrated mass on Wednesday, August 27.

Fletcher's father, Jesse Merkel, identified his son as one of the victims on Thursday and gave a heartbreaking statement while talking to the media.

Fletcher Merkel's father hopes his family can find healing with time

Jesse Markel said on Thursday, "Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son Fletcher away from us."

"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," the devastated father added.

Fletcher's father further shared that his son loved his family and friends as well as 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," Jesse mentioned.

Meanwhile, Blois Olson, a spokesperson for the family, said that Fletcher was the third of four children, and three of the four Merkel children were attending Mass when the shooting occurred.

Olson added that the other two were not injured.

Apart from Feltcher, 10-year-old Harper Moyski also died in the shooting on Wednesday.

Jesse also said he prayed that the family of the victim could find some semblance of healing one day, and asked that people remember Fletcher for who he was as a person and not what ended his life.

"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," he noted.

Meanwhile, Harper's parents, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, remembered her as "a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her."

"Our hearts are broken not only as parents, but also for Harper's sister, who adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss. As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain," they said in a statement. 

Moreover, they urged leaders and communities to "take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country."

The statement added, "Change is possible, and it is necessary - so that Harper's story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies."

Robin Westman once attended Annunciation Catholic School

Robin Westman once attended Annunciation Catholic School and was "obsessed" with the idea of killing children, authorities said.

Acting US Attorney for Minnesota Joe Thompson said the videos and writings that the suspect left behind show that Westman "expressed hate towards almost every group imaginable."

Thompson added that the only group the suspect did not hate was "mass murderers and shooters."

The police chief mentioned that investigators recovered hundreds of pieces of evidence from the church and three residences.

They found writings from the suspect, but no additional firearms or a clear motive for the attack on the church that Westman once attended.

Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara said, "No evidence will ever be able to make sense of such an unthinkable tragedy."

Meanwhile, city officials on Thursday increased the number of wounded children to 15 — aged 6 to 15 — apart from the three parishioners in their 80s who were also injured.

A child was in critical condition, whereas 11 other victims remained in hospitals.

Robin Westman asked family to 'move on' in last letter

Robin Westman allegedly scheduled videos on a YouTube channel called "Robin W." In one of the two videos, a person, believed to be Westman, shows a four-page handwritten letter addressed to family and friends. In the letter, the suspect apologized for the incident.

Moreover, Westman suggested that the family should change their names and "move on."

The letter began with an apology and how the suspect felt about bringing "this storm of chaos" into the lives of loved ones.

"I don't expect forgiveness, and I don't expect any apology. I have to hold much weight. But to my family and those close to me, I do apologize for the effects my actions will have on your lives," the letter read.

"Please know I care for all of you so much, and it pains me to bring this storm of chaos into your lives. This will affect so many more people than the ones that are immediately involved," it further mentioned.

In the letter, Westman also blamed the world for making her "hate life."

"Please do not think you have failed as parents. I was corrupted by this world and have learned to hate what life is. Life is love, life is pain," the letter stated.

Westman added, "I am tired of the pain this world gives out. Please move on and continue to give your love to brothers and sisters, and the rest of the world. They may not forgive you, but you need to move on from me. Forget my life and the pain I have brought."