Fletcher Merkel Identified as Victim in Minneapolis Church Shooting: Tragedy at Annunciation Catholic School

On the morning of August 27, 2025, a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, claimed the life of 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel. The attacker, a former student of the affiliated school, opened fire during a children’s Mass, killing Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski and injuring 18 others, most of whom were children. Authorities recovered over 100 rounds of ammunition and are now classifying the event as a hate crime and act of domestic terrorism.

Fletcher Merkel was publicly identified by his father during a press conference held the following day. Described as a child who loved his family, friends, sports, and the outdoors, Fletcher's death has sent waves of shock through the local community and beyond. Law enforcement continues to investigate the shooter's motive, citing a manifesto and previous connections to the church. As the investigation unfolds, the city mourns the loss of two innocent lives while confronting the broader implications of violence within places of worship.