The photos of Fletcher Alexander Merkel are like those of other children’s.

There he is with his parents in church, wearing a suit, blue sneakers and a smile. There he is in the snow, wearing a teal parka and clutching a snowball. There he is learning about birds, a trio of parakeets perched on his right arm and another one on his shoulder.

The photos of Fletcher, who died in the mass shooting last month at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, were shared with reporters ahead of his funeral on Sunday afternoon at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church.

Fletcher was 8.

Ahead of the service, Fletcher’s family asked attendees not to wear black. Instead, they encouraged mourners to wear bright colors. His father, Jesse Merkel, has said the family wants Fletcher to be remembered fo

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