MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The family of Fletcher Merkel, the 8-year-old girl who was fatally shot during the Annunciation Church and School mass shooting , was gifted a golden retriever puppy by the Minneapolis Police Department.

Puppy gifted to Merkel family

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The Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) said its homicide investigators, along with the Police Officers Federation, raised the funds needed to purchase a golden retriever puppy named Xander.

MPD officials add that a company specializing in training therapy dogs will train Xander at no cost.

The police department shared the following statement:

"Our thoughts will always remain with those affected by the Annunciation shootings, and this small gesture is the least we can do to show our support of those affected."

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