The families of the two children who were shot and killed early Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic Church in southwest Minneapolis spoke out for the first time Thursday afternoon.

The father of one of the two children killed in the massacre identified the victim as 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel. The family of the other victim identified her as 10-year-old Harper Moyski.

Photos show 10-year-old Harper Moyski (left) and 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel. Both were killed in Wednesday morning's shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in southwest Minneapolis. WCCO

Both families issued statements and asked the public to respect their privacy.

Here is the full transcript of the Merkel family's statement, as delivered by Jesse Merkel:

"Yesterday, a coward decided to take our 8-year-o

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