The father of an 8-year-old who was gunned down in a Minneapolis church shooting urged other parents to give their children "an extra hug and kiss" in a public statement on Aug. 28.
Jesse Merkel's son Fletcher, 8, was one of two children killed in the Aug. 27 attack, which also left 18 others injured after an assailant fired into Annunciation Catholic Church, which also houses a Catholic school, during a morning Mass.
In an appearance outside the school on Aug. 28, Jesse Merkel issued a lengthy, emotional statement in remembrance of his son, who he said "loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking, and any sport that he was allowed to play."
Behind him, Annunciation Catholic School Principal Matthew DeBoer stood with a hand on the grieving father's shoulder as Jesse Merkel also acknowledged others impacted in the shooting.
More news: Search for answers after Minneapolis church shooting continues. What we know
