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Minneapolis School Shooting: Two Children Dead, Shooter Driven by ‘Deranged Fascination’
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A growing memorial at Annunciation Catholic School marks the site of a tragic shooting that claimed the lives of two children and injured 18 others, as authorities investigate the motives of the 23-year-old gunman. The shooting, which unfolded during a school Mass on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, has left the Minneapolis community reeling and ignited renewed debate over gun violence and mental health.
Tragedy at Annunciation Catholic School
The attack left an indelible mark on the community, with six children still hospitalized as of Thursday, August 28, 2025, two listed in serious or critical condition. A wave of grief washed over Minneapolis as the identities of the young victims were confirmed: 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski.
Fletcher’s father, Jesse Merkel, shared his heartbreak with local media, stating, “Yesterday, a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son Fletcher away from us.” He continued, expressing a hope for healing for his family and empathy for the other victims’ loved ones. “Please remember Fletcher for the person he was, and not the act that ended his life,” he pleaded.
Harper Moyski’s family described her as a “shining, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old.” In a statement, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin added, “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.”
Shooter’s Motive and background
The suspected shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, died by suicide at the scene. While a definitive motive remains elusive, law enforcement officials have revealed disturbing details about Westman’s mindset. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated that Westman harbored a “deranged fascination” with previous school shooters and demonstrated an obsession with harming children.
acting U.S. Attorney General for Minnesota, Joseph Thompson, emphasized the calculated nature of the attack, explaining, “The shooter saw the attack as a way to target our most vulnerable among us, while they were at their most vulnerable – at school, at church.” Authorities also indicated that Westman “expressed hate towards almost every group imaginable,” suggesting a deeply troubled and potentially radicalized individual.
Community Response and Ongoing Investigation
Hennepin County health officials are scheduled to provide an update on the shooting and the condition of the injured at 12 p.m. CDT on Friday, August 29, 2025. The Minneapolis mayor has reportedly expressed a desire to enact a local assault weapons ban, though the legal feasibility of such a measure remains uncertain.
Stories of resilience and faith are emerging from the aftermath. One 13-year-old victim,shot in the stomach,reportedly asked doctors to pray with him before undergoing surgery. Another 12-year-old student required emergency surgery, with the poignant detail that her mother, a local nurse, was unaware of her daughter’s injury when she arrived for her shift.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are meticulously examining Westman’s background, online activity, and potential connections to extremist ideologies. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the compl
