Families describing "unimaginable loss" recalled their slain children Aug. 28, the day after an attacker fired through the windows of a Minneapolis Catholic school church and sent worshipers diving behind pews for cover.

Jesse Merkel, the father of Fletcher Merkel, 8, called the suspected shooter a "coward" who took his son’s life.

"Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life," Jesse Merkel said. "Give your kids an extra hug and kiss today. We love you, Fletcher. You'll always be with us."

The deadly shooting occurred at Annunciation Catholic School, a private elementary school in Minneapolis with about 395 students, just before 8:30 a.m. local time on Aug. 27, authorities said. According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara, the shooter approached the outside of the church building and fired inside toward the children sitting in pews.

The two children killed in the shooting were 8 and 10 years old. Eighteen other people, 15 of them students ages 6 to 18 and three parishioners in their 80s, were struck by gunfire, authorities said. All the injured were expected to recover, though family members of some say they will have long roads to recovery from serious bullet wounds.

Authorities have not publicly released the names of the victims shot in the attack, but families and friends have begun to identify their loved ones.

"We as a community have a responsibility to make sure that no child, no parent, no teacher ever has to experience what we’ve experienced today ever again," Annunciation School Principal Matt DeBoer said in a news conference on Aug. 27. "We lost two angels today. Please continue to pray for those still receiving care. Never again can we let this happen."

Fletcher Merkel

Speaking at a news conference outside the Annunciation Catholic School, Jesse Merkel recalled his son Fletcher as a very loving child who enjoyed friends, fishing, cooking, and "any sport that he was allowed to play."

The killer's violent actions have brought tremendous loss to Fletcher's family, Jesse Merkel said. "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," he added.

Fletcher was the second youngest of four children, family spokesperson Blois Olson told NBC News. He and two of his siblings, who were not injured in the shooting, were attending Mass together on Aug. 27, according to NBC News and ABC11.

"While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time our family can find healing," Jesse Merkel added. He also shared prayers of healing, recovery, and strength for the other victims and their families.

“Over the past day, I’ve heard many stories accounting the swift and heroic actions of children and adults alike, from inside the church. Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more. For these people, I am thankful,” he said.

In his closing remarks, Jesse Merkel asked the public for empathy as his family and school community grieve and "try to make sense of such a senseless act of violence."

Harper Moyski

The second victim killed in the shooting was identified as 10-year-old Harper Moyski, according to a joint statement shared to news outlets on her family's behalf.

"We are devastated to share that our beloved daughter, Harper Moyski, was tragically killed in the recent school shooting," reads the statement from Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, according to CBS News and KSTP-TV. "Harper was a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her."

Harper's family said their hearts were broken "not only as parents, but also for Harper's sister, who adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss." They added that they were grieving for those who were in mourning and for those wounded in the attack.

The family noted that while they were focusing on their daughter and healing, they believe "it is important that her memory fuels action."

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

"We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support," the statement continued. "Harper's light will always shine through us, and we hope her memory inspires others to work toward a safer, more compassionate world."

Sophia Forchas

Sophia Forchas was injured in the shooting and remained in critical condition after undergoing emergency surgery, according to a GoFundMe organized for the family. The 12-year-old was described as a "bright, kind, and full of life young girl who is now fighting for her life."

"Her road ahead will be long, uncertain, and incredibly difficult — but she is strong, and she is not alone," the GoFundMe page states.

Sophia's younger brother was also at the school during the shooting, but he was unharmed, according to the page. Their mother, a pediatric critical care nurse at Hennepin County Medical Center, had arrived to work on Aug. 27 to help with wounded victims "before knowing it was her children's school that was attacked, and that her daughter was critically injured," the page states.

Father Timothy Sas of St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis also released a statement confirming that Sophia was injured in the shooting. Sas said the Forchas family, along with several students from Annunciation Catholic School, are parishioners at the church.

"Among the 20 shooting victims, was also our wonderful Sophia Forchas, (a) 12-year-old 7th grader," Sas said in the statement. "Sophia was born and raised in our St. Mary’s parish, immersed in the life of the Church together with her extended family of several generations who are devoted members of our congregation."

Endre Gunter

Endre Gunter was shot twice while attending Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church, according to his aunt, Natalie Davis, who organized a GoFundMe page to help with the 13-year-old's medical bills.

"It's impossible to make sense of this act of violence against children, in a place that should have been a sanctuary of peace and safety," Davis wrote on the page. "In the face of unimaginable fear and pain, Endre showed strength and faith beyond his years."

Before Endre was taken into surgery, Davis said he asked the doctor to pray with him. The doctor later told his family that Endre survived the surgery and "fought through a terrifying event with courage that inspired the entire medical team," according to Davis.

"That moment of prayer, and Endre's resilience, will stay with our family forever," his aunt said. "Right now, he is recovering from surgery at the hospital, surrounded by his loved ones and the best medical team possible. While the road ahead is long, we are beyond grateful he is still with us."

David Haeg

David Haeg, a young student at the Annunciation Catholic School, was "tragically injured" during the Aug. 27 shooting, according to a GoFundMe organized on behalf of his family.

"Our school community is heartbroken as we rally around one of our own, David Haeg," the page states. "His road to recovery will be long, but he is showing incredible strength and resilience."

The fundraiser will help with the cost of David's medical expenses, "so his parents can focus fully on being by his side and helping him heal." He is expected to remain in the pediatric intensive care unit for at least five days after undergoing surgery, according to the GoFundMe page.

The organizer of the fundraiser has asked the public and the community to pray for David and his family.

Contributing: Charles Ventura, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'We lost two angels': Families remember children slain, wounded in Minnesota shooting

Reporting by Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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