7 hours ago
23
Fletcher Merkel was 8 years old when he was killed at Annunciation Church. His parents want people to remember his inclusiveness, fairness and joy.
MINNEAPOLIS — In Fletcher Merkel’s bedroom, it’s as if time stands still.
The shelves are lined with his treasures, a football signed by the Green Bay Packers, baseball trophies, a bag of Pokémon cards, Legos, his baby blanket.
“This is Fletcher,” his mom, Mollie Merkel said as she entered the room. “All the things that he loved and had little collections.”
She likes to come into the room and rub the corner of Fletcher’s baby blanket as he once did. Fletcher’s dad, Jesse Merkel, sometimes opens his son’s diary to get a peek inside his mind.
...
