Parents of children killed in Minneapolis school shooting speak out

The two students killed in the Annunciation Catholic School mass shooting were an 8-year-old boy who loved to fish and cook and a 10-year-old girl known for her laughter and kindness.

Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, died when the shooter opened fire through the windows of the Minneapolis school's church on Wednesday morning, their families confirmed Thursday.

Fletcher's father urged parents to "give your kids an extra hug" as he remembered his son.

"Yesterday, a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son, Fletcher, away from us," Jesse Merkel said during remarks outside the school on Thursday, publicly identifying his son as one of the victims killed in the "senseless act of violence" carried out by a 23-year-old former student at the school. "Because of their actions, we will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him, and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming."

Jesse Merkel said his son loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking "and any sport that he was allowed to play."

The father added, "While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time, our family can find healing. I pray that the other victim's family can find some semblance of the same."

Harper's parents remembered her as a "bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her."

“Our hearts are broken not only as parents, but also for Harper’s sister, who adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss,” her parents, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, said in a statement provided to ABC Minneapolis station KSTP. "As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain."

Eighteen other people -- including 15 kids -- were also injured in the shooting and are expected to survive, police said.

The victims' families praised the response to the mass shooting.

Jesse Merkel said he's heard many stories of the "swift and heroic actions of children and adults alike, from inside the church," he said. "Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more. For these people, I'm thankful."

Harper's parents said they "also grieve for our fellow Annunciation family in mourning and for those hurt" and that they are "grateful for the staff and first responders who did so much for so many yesterday."

Jesse Merkel asked that people give their children "an extra hug and kiss today" and that his son is remembered "for the person he was, and not the act that ended his life."

Harper's parents said it's important that their daughter's memory "fuels action" while imploring for meaningful change to prevent a similar tragedy and "work toward a safer, more compassionate world."

"No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain," they said. "We urge our leaders and communities to take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country. Change is possible, and it is necessary -- so that Harper’s story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies."

The shooting occurred during a Mass that marked the first week of school, police said.

The shooter -- identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman -- died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. Westman had attended the school, and Westman's mother previously worked in the parish, police said.

A motive remains under investigation, and police said they've not identified a specific trigger for why the children at the church were targeted.

Investigators determined that Westman "harbored a whole lot of hate towards a wide variety of people and groups of people," and also "had a deranged obsession with previous mass shooters," Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara told ABC News Live on Thursday.