Annunciation Church school shooting: What we know about the victims

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Two children were killed, and 21 other people were injured after a shooting Wednesday morning during the first week of classes at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis.

What we know about the Annunciation shooting victims

What we know:

There were 23 victims as a result of the shooting. Two children, 8 and 10, were fatally shot. Another 18 children, between the ages of 6 and 15, were injured by gunfire. Three adults in their 80s who were attending mass were also shot.

Authorities added Sunday three more children to the number of victims injured by gunfire, bringing the total number of those injured up to 21. 

Previously, authorities said 14 children were injured in the shooting but officials revised that number to 15 on Thursday morning. O'Hara said on Thursday the child victim, who was identified as the 15th young victim, was taken by private vehicle to a hospital outside the Twin Cities. Police did not receive the report about the child until after the child was treated for a "graze wound" and released. 

All the remaining victims are expected to survive, O'Hara said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

Hennepin Healthcare said Friday afternoon it is now caring for six patients. Four children are in satisfactory condition. One adult is in serious condition, and one child is in critical condition. 

Meanwhile, Children's Hospital, which was caring for seven patients, said four children had been discharged. As of Thursday morning, it continues to care for three children. 

Dig deeper:

Read more about the Annunciation mass shooting:

• What we know so far - Aug. 28 updates
• What we know about the victims
• What’s known about shooting suspect Robin Westman
• Victim recalls ‘super scary’ attack during mass
• Emergency audio reveals medical response, injuries
• How you can help

Harper Moyski killed in Annunciation shooting

Harper Moyski, 10, has been identified as one of the children fatally shot in the Annunciation Church and School mass shooting. 

Her family, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, released a statement on Thursday that partially read as follows:

"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."

A GoFundMe page for Harper has raised $96,000 as of Friday morning.

Fletcher Merkel killed in Annunciation shooting

Fletcher Merkel, 8, died in the Annunciation shooting on Wednesday. 

His father, Jesse Merkel, spoke outside Annunciation on Thursday, saying, "Please remember Fletcher for the person he was, not the act that ended his life."

The Merkels had four children, including Fletcher. Jesse Merkel's two older children were also in the chapel but were not physically hurt, while his youngest child is not of school age yet.

David Haeg injured in shooting

A GoFundMe organized by David Haeg's family says he is recovering in the pediatric ICU after undergoing surgery for his injuries. 

David is showing "strength and resilience" and will have a long road to recovery, the GoFundMe states. 

His family is asking for support in covering the medical costs, so their focus can remain on helping him heal.  

As of Friday morning, the GoFundMe page has raised more than $65,000.

Genevieve Bisek, 11, in critical condition after shooting

Genevieve Bisek, 11, is in critical condition at the pediatric ICU after being shot in the neck. Her "medical journey is still uncertain," according to a GoFundMe.

The GoFundMe adds that Genevieve's older sister was also present at the time of the shooting and helped her mass buddy to safety.  

The family is now asking for help with the substantial financial burdens ahead. As of Friday morning, the GoFundMe page has raised over $81,000.

Vivian St. Clair, 9, shooting survivor

Vivian St. Clair, 9, was shot multiple times in her back and arm, according to a GoFundMe. She still has several bullet fragments in her body that doctors do not intend to remove. 

"Despite her injuries, Vivi ran from the church to the school gym, where a police officer scooped her up and rushed her to an ambulance. She was taken to HCMC, where her mom, Malia, works," the page reads. 

Her family is asking for support to help with the difficult road ahead. The GoFundMe page has raised over $94,000 as of Friday morning. 

Lydia Kaiser in serious condition after protecting friend

The Annunciation Chruch mass shooting left Lydia in "very serious condition" after she went through "an unimaginable surgery" for her injuries, according to a GoFundMe organized on her behalf.

The GoFundMe adds that Lydia's father, Harry, is a gym teacher at the school and stayed with the children in the church until they were reunited with their families. 

Harry even stayed with the children inside the church as his own daughter was entering the emergency room, the GoFundMe states. 

Lydia's family is now asking for assistance as she recovers. The family is also asking for prayers as they navigates the challenges ahead. 

As of Friday afternoon, the GoFundMe has raised more than $194,000.

Sophia Forchas, 12, identified as Annunciation shooting survivor

Sophia Forchas, 12 , was injured in the shooting at Annunciation, according to a GoFundMe page and a post by St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church.

She was critically injured and underwent surgery, the church said. She remains in critical condition in the ICU, the GoFundMe page notes.

READ MORE: Mpls ICU nurse was working when daughter arrived 'critically injured' from school shooting

Sophia's younger brother was also inside the school during the shooting but wasn't physically injured, the GoFundMe page said.

Meanwhile, the GoFundMe page says Sophia's mother is a pediatric critical care nurse who went to work to help before knowing the shooting happened at her children's school and that her daughter was among the injured.

The GoFundMe page raised nearly $530,000 as of Friday morning.

Endre Gunter, 13, hurt in Annunciation mass shooting

Endre, a 13-year-old boy, was hurt in the shooting, according to a GoFundMe organized on behalf of Danielle Gunter.

Danielle Gunter, the mother of an eighth-grade boy who was shot, released a statement on Wednesday saying "Our hearts are shattered … Unlike others, we are blessed to hold onto him. We will help him rebuild his life, his trust, and his confidence."

You can read her full statement below.

According to the GoFundMe, Endre was rushed into surgery after being shot and is recovering at the hospital. 

The GoFundMe page has raised over $165,000 as of Friday morning. 

Danielle Gunter, Endre's mother, released the following statement on Wednesday:

"Our hearts are shattered — not only for him, but for everyone who was harmed. We grieve and we pray: for the others who were shot, for their families, and for those who lost loved ones.

"And for the first responders, who raced into danger for others, for us. We thank them all. Our son shared with us that an MPD officer "really helped him." He said the officer rendered aid, hugged him, reassured him, and prayed with him before getting into the ambulance.

"We ask for leaders to place armed security at schools to prevent another tragedy like this. There is no higher calling than keeping kids safe — and it starts with protecting them from evil in this world. 

"We feel the pain, the anger, the confusion, and the searing reality that our lives will never be the same. Yet we still have our child. 

"Unlike others, we are blessed to hold onto him. We will help him rebuild his life, his trust, and his confidence.

"We don’t want others to ever feel the same. And we pray that everyone touched by this tragedy can find the strength to begin rebuilding too."

Victor shot while protecting friend from gunfire 

Victor was shot when he shielded his friend from gunfire during the attack. 

His friend spoke to FOX 9 shortly after the shooting, who recalled the "super scary" moments when gunfire rang out. 

The GoFundMe says that Victor's "selfless acts help to save so many, but he and his sister were injured in the process." 

The organizer is now asking for help in caring for both Victor and his sister, as the resources needed to do so go beyond what is readily available.   

As of Friday morning, the GoFundMe page has raised more than $148,000.

Weston, 10, will undergo surgery for bullet fragment in neck 

The GoFundMe for Weston recalls his "grief-stricken face" and "account of the horrific details" when he spoke to reporters about the shooting.

Despite all this, Weston has still expressed his appreciation for his friends while praying for their recovery, according to the GoFundMe. 

The funds will go to medical bills for Weston's recovery, trauma counseling and support for his immediate family. The GoFundMe has raised more than $32,000 as of Sunday afternoon. 

Loved ones recognize Weston for his quick wit, persistence and his charming earnestness, the GoFundMe states. 

‘Children are dead’

What they're saying:

"There are no words that can capture the horror and the evil of this unspeakable act," Mayor Jacob Frey said in a news conference. "Children are dead."

"The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible," O'Hara added. "Some of the children that were hiding throughout the building."

"Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their children," he continued. "For these young lives that are now fighting to recover, and for our entire community that has been so deeply traumatized by this senseless attack, we will stand together to protect our children, our schools, and our houses of worship."

"I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence," Gov. Tim Walz wrote on X.

Local perspective:

Bill Bienemann, who lives a couple of blocks away and has long attended Mass at Annunciation Church, said he heard dozens of shots, perhaps as many as 50, over as long as four minutes.

"I was shocked. I said, ‘There’s no way that could be gunfire,’" he said. "There was so much of it. It was sporadic."

History of Annunciation Catholic School 

Dig deeper:

Dating to 1923, the pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school had an all-school Mass scheduled at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to its website. Monday was the first day of school. Recent social media posts from the school show children smiling at a back-to-school event, holding up summer art projects, playing together and enjoying ice pops.

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