The photos of Fletcher Alexander Merkel are like those of other children’s.
There he is with his parents in church, wearing a suit, blue sneakers and a smile. There he is in the snow, wearing a teal parka and clutching a snowball. There he is learning about birds, a trio of parakeets perched on his right arm and another one on his shoulder.
The photos of Fletcher, who died in the mass shooting last month at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, were shared with reporters ahead of his funeral on Sunday afternoon at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church.
Fletcher was 8.
Ahead of the service, Fletcher’s family asked attendees not to wear black. Instead, they encouraged mourners wear bright colors. His father, Jesse Merkel, has said the family wants Fletcher to be remembered for who he was and not how he died.
Fletcher loved cooking. One of the photos shows him in gray pajamas with brown bison printed on them holding bison-inspired cupcakes, complete with marshmallow eyes and horns, and lots of chocolate.
Fletcher loved fishing. Another photo shows him clutching a really big fish as his father smiles at the camera.
Fletcher loved sports. Those blue sneakers in the photo at church hint at a love of running, jumping and competing.
“We love you Fletcher,” his father has said. “You will always be with us.”
Harper Moyski, 10, also died from gunshot wounds suffered inside the church. A celebration of life for Harper is set for Sunday, Sept. 14 at Lake Harriet Bandshell in Minneapolis, according to an obituary.
Meanwhile, 12-year-old Sophia Forchas remains hospitalized at HCMC in critical condition with a bullet lodged in her head. At a press conference on Friday updating the public on Sophia’s condition, Tom Forchas, her father, relayed the words his 9-year-old son spoke when told about Fletcher’s death.
“He is so good at everything he does. And he is such a good friend to all of us.”
Fletcher’s funeral will be livestreamed here.
