MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Authorities have confirmed that 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel was one of two children killed in Wednesday’s mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School. The gunman, 23-year-old Robin Westman, a former student at the school, opened fire during morning Mass, leaving the city in shock and mourning.
Outside Annunciation Church, Fletcher’s father, Jesse Merkel, shared a heartfelt statement on behalf of the family. “Yesterday, a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son, Fletcher, from us,” he said. “Because of their actions, we will never have the chance to hold him, talk to him, play with him, or watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was becoming. Fletcher loved his family, his friends, fishing, cooking, and every sport he could play.”
Jesse Merkel praised the many children and adults who acted courageously during the attack, noting that their quick responses likely prevented even greater loss of life. He asked the community to focus on Fletcher’s joy and spirit rather than the tragic circumstances of his death.
The Attack
Police say 23-year-old Robin Westman, a former student at Annunciation, carried out the attack during morning Mass at approximately 8:27 a.m. Armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, all purchased legally, Westman fired over 100 rounds into the sanctuary, targeting children as young as six. Investigators recovered 116 rifle casings and three shotgun shells at the scene.
Authorities said Westman attempted to trap victims inside by blocking some doors with wooden planks. Chief Brian O’Hara noted that the church’s policy of locking doors after Mass began may have prevented even higher casualties. By 8:31 a.m., a Minneapolis police officer arrived and entered the church without tactical gear, giving parishioners their first sense of hope for survival.
The shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound outside the church. In total, 18 people were injured, including 15 children aged 6 to 15 and three elderly parishioners in their 80s.
Hospitalizations and Acts of Bravery
Hospitals across Minneapolis continue to treat the victims:
•Children’s Minnesota treated seven pediatric patients, three of whom remain in serious or critical condition.
•Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) has treated nine victims, including five children, with one child still in critical condition.
Among those injured is 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, a parishioner at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, who underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition. First responders and medical personnel described acts of extraordinary bravery during the incident, including a child shielding another from gunfire and a nurse manager providing comfort inside a CT scanner to terrified children.
Federal Investigation and Community Response
The FBI is investigating the shooting as both an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime. FBI Director Kash Patel said authorities recovered firearms with hateful inscriptions, writings, and a manifesto containing anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic language. He described the attack as “barbaric” and motivated by “pure, indiscriminate hate.”
Authorities confirmed that Westman studied previous mass shootings, seeking recognition through this attack. Chief O’Hara urged media outlets to avoid repeating the shooter’s name, emphasizing that notoriety was part of the perpetrator’s intent.
Court records show Westman legally changed their name from Robert to Robin in 2020 with support from their mother, Mary Grace Westman, a longtime parish employee. Investigators are seeking her cooperation in the ongoing investigation.
In response to the tragedy, Governor Tim Walz ordered an immediate increase in security at schools and places of worship across the Twin Cities. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called for unity, cautioning against targeting vulnerable communities:
“Anybody using this as an opportunity to vilify our trans community—or any community—has lost their sense of humanity. This needs to be about the kids. Kids died today.”
Chief O’Hara described the massacre as “an unthinkable and senseless act of violence against children worshipping at Mass.” Federal and local authorities have pledged to leave “no stone unturned” in determining Westman’s motives and preventing similar attacks in the future.
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