Crime
8-year-old Fletcher Merkel killed in Annunciation Catholic school shooting
MINNEAPOLIS — Authorities have identified one of the two children killed in Wednesday’s mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, describing the event as one of the darkest days in the city’s history.
The victims were an 8-year-old boy and a 10-year-old child. On Thursday evening, officials confirmed the 8-year-old victim as Fletcher Merkel.
The 10-year-old has not yet been publicly identified.
Outside Annunciation Church, Fletcher’s father, Jesse Merkel, delivered a moving statement on behalf of the family.
“Yesterday, a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son, Fletcher, away from us,” he said. “Because of their actions, we will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him, or watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was becoming. Fletcher loved his family, his friends, fishing, cooking, and every sport he could play.”
Merkel went on to thank the many children and adults who acted heroically during the attack, noting that their quick actions prevented even greater loss of life.
He concluded with a plea for empathy rather than sympathy, asking the community to remember Fletcher for the joyful child he was rather than for the tragedy that ended his life.
Police say the gunman, 23-year-old Robin Westman, a former student at Annunciation, opened fire during morning Mass at approximately 8:27 a.m. Wednesday.
Westman, armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol—all purchased legally—fired more than 100 rounds into the sanctuary, striking children as young as six. Investigators later recovered 116 rifle casings and three shotgun shells from the scene.
Authorities said Westman blocked some doors with wooden planks in an apparent effort to trap victims inside. Chief Brian O’Hara noted that the church’s policy of locking doors after Mass began likely prevented even greater casualties.
By 8:31 a.m., a Minneapolis police officer arrived and rushed into the church without tactical gear. Parishioners later told officials his arrival was the first moment they believed survival was possible.
The shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound outside the church.
In total, 18 people were injured, including 15 children between the ages of 6 and 15 and three elderly parishioners in their 80s. Two children, Fletcher and another yet-unidentified 10-year-old, were killed.
Hospitals across Minneapolis continue to care for survivors:
- Children’s Minnesota reported treating seven pediatric patients, three of whom remain hospitalized in serious or critical condition.
- Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) confirmed it has treated nine victims, including five children. One child remains in critical condition.
Among those wounded is 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, a parishioner at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, who underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition.
Doctors and first responders have shared accounts of extraordinary bravery, including a child who shielded another from a shotgun blast and a nurse manager who climbed inside a CT scanner to comfort a terrified child.
The FBI is treating the shooting as both an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime. FBI Director Kash Patel said investigators recovered writings, firearms with hateful inscriptions, and a manifesto that included anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic language. Patel described the shooting as a “barbaric attack” motivated by “pure, indiscriminate hate.”
Authorities also confirmed that Westman admired and studied previous mass shooters, seeking notoriety through the attack. Chief O’Hara urged media outlets to stop repeating the suspect’s name, saying, “That was the whole purpose of why he did this act.”
Court records show Westman legally changed their name from Robert to Robin in 2020 with the support of their mother, Mary Grace Westman, a longtime parish employee. Investigators are seeking to speak with her, though she has not yet cooperated.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced an immediate increase in security for schools and houses of worship across the Twin Cities. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called for unity, warning against scapegoating vulnerable communities.
“Anybody using this as an opportunity to vilify our trans community—or any community—has lost their sense of humanity,” Frey said. “This needs to be about the kids. Kids died today.”
Chief O’Hara acknowledged the community’s deep grief, calling the massacre “an unthinkable and senseless act of violence against children worshipping at Mass.”
As the investigation continues, federal and local officials pledged to leave “no stone unturned” in uncovering Westman’s motives and preventing future attacks.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.