NEED TO KNOW
- The identity of the second victim who died in Wednesday’s Aug. 27 mass school shooting in Minneapolis has been released
- The 10-year-old student was identified as Harper Moyski
- Eighteen other people, including 15 children, were injured in the shooting, which took place during Mass before the second day of the school year at Annunciation Catholic School
The second victim who was shot and killed during Wednesday’s mass shooting at a Catholic school and church in Minneapolis has been identified.
The family of the 10-year-old victim identified the deceased as Harper Moyski. She and 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel were the two children who were killed Wednesday when a 23-year-old mass shooter opened fire on students and teachers attending a school mass before the second day of the school year.
Moyski was both a student at Annunciation Catholic School in south Minneapolis, where the mass shooting took place.
The young girl’s family issued a statement on Thursday, Aug. 28: “We are devastated to share that our beloved daughter, Harper Moyski, was tragically killed in the recent school shooting. Harper was 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,” her parents, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, said. “While our immediate focus is on Harper and our family’s healing, we also believe it is important that her memory fuels action. No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain.”
“We urge our leaders and communities to take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country. Change is possible, and it is necessary—so that Harper’s story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies,” they continued. “We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support. Harper’s light will always shine through us, and we hope her memory inspires others to work toward a safer, more compassionate world.”
Authorities announced Thursday, Aug. 28, that 18 others were injured in the shooting, 15 of whom were children. The other three victims were three churchgoers in their 80s, according to local KTSP.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey addressed the media at a press conference, calling the shooting “unspeakable.”
“No words that can capture the horror of this unspeakable act,” Frey said. “Children are dead.”
“Do not think of these as just somebody else’s kids, think of this as if it were your own,” Frey continued. “Every one of us needs to be wrapping our arms around these families, giving them every ounce we can muster. These were Minneapolis families, these were American families.”
Authorities said the shooter was 23-year-old Robin Westman, whose mother used to work at the school. Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the school parking lot, police said Wednesday.
“Our teachers were heroes,” said principal Matthew DeBoer at a press conference later Wednesday. “Children were ducked down, adults were protecting children, older children were protecting younger children, and as we heard earlier, it could have been significantly worse without their heroic action.”
However, DeBoer mourned the two students killed in the shooting, which authorities said began just before 8:30 a.m. local time when Westman opened fire from outside the church, shooting through windows at the students gathered for prayer inside.
“We lost two angels today,” DeBoer said.
Frey said Wednesday that “you cannot put into words the gravity, tragedy, or pain of this situation.”
“Don’t just say it’s about thoughts and prayers, these kids were literally praying,” Frey said. “These are kids who should be learning with their friends, they should be playing on the playground, they should be able to go to school or church in peace.”
Read the full article here
