The two children who were sadly killed during a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School have been identified.
The incident unfolded during a back-to-school mass, a gathering that was meant to mark the beginning of the school year.
The shooting, which took place around 8:20AM, took the lives of 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, while 17 others, including 14 children, were injured.
Authorities confirmed that two of the children were initially in critical condition, although all the victims are expected to survive after receiving treatment at local hospitals.
As the shooting began, Fletcher and Harper were among those in the pews.
Fletcher Merkel's father, Jesse, shared a heart-wrenching statement at a news conference outside the school, expressing the profound loss of his son, per NBC News.
"Yesterday, a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son Fletcher away from us," he said, describing the irreversible pain caused by the loss.
He fondly remembered Fletcher, who was the second youngest of four children, and spoke of his love for his family, fishing, cooking, and sports.
"While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time, our family can find healing," Merkel added.
Harper Moyski's parents, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, also mourned their daughter's untimely death.
"We are devastated to share that our beloved daughter, Harper Moyski, was tragically killed in the recent school shooting," they said in a statement.
They described Harper as a "bright, joyful, and deeply loved" child whose laughter, kindness, and spirit had touched everyone who knew her.
Their message also expressed concern for Harper's younger sister, who is grappling with the loss of her sibling.
"Harper’s light will always shine through us, and we hope her memory inspires others to work toward a safer, more compassionate world," they said.
Both families shared their gratitude for the first responders and staff who acted swiftly and selflessly during the chaos.
Authorities later identified the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman, who legally changed their name three years ago from Robert.
The shooter fired dozens of rounds through the church's stained-glass windows, causing chaos and panic among the students and staff.
The attack was only stopped when Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.
As the community tries to process the horrific event, vigils have been held for the victims.
Our thoughts continue to be with those affected by this tragedy.