MINNEAPOLIS — One was an 8-year-old boy who loved “his family, friends, fishing, cooking and any sport that he was allowed to play.” The other, a 10-year-old girl “whose laughter, kindness and spirit touched everyone who knew her.”

The identities of the two children slain in a shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis were released Thursday by their families.

Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, died while practicing their faith, attending the first all-school Mass of the year.

Jesse Merkel, Fletcher’s father, read a statement outside the church Thursday afternoon. Harper’s parents, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, released a statement shortly afterward.

“Yesterday, a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son, Fletcher, away from us. Because of their actions, 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,” Jesse Merkel said tearfully, with Annunciation Principal Matt DeBoer’s hand resting on his shoulder.

“While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time, our family can find healing,” Merkel said.

“I pray that the other victim’s family can find some semblance of the same.”

Eighteen others were wounded in the attack, most of them children, some critically. All are expected to survive, Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara said Wednesday.

“I’m hopeful that all wounded are able to make a full recovery and return home to their families, and finally, all the people, and especially the children impacted by this horrific event, are able to recover mentally and find strength to live loving, happy lives,” Merkel said.

He added that he has heard many stories about heroic actions by both children and staff at Annunciation School during the attack.

“Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more. For these people, I am thankful.”

Merkel asked for empathy and privacy during this time of grief.

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

Harper’s parents described their fifth-grader as “bright, joyful and deeply loved.”

“Our hearts are broken not only as parents, but also for Harper’s sister, who adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss. As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain,” their statement read.

The family extended its thanks to the staff and first responders. And they added a call to action.

“While our immediate focus is on Harper and our family’s healing, we also 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. Change is possible, and it is necessary — so that Harper’s story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies,” they wrote.

Harper and her sister were known in their south Minneapolis neighborhood for their magical front-yard fairy garden, which has delighted passersby with its painted-rock rainbows and treasures.

“You just would smile when you saw them,” said Jennifer Eue, a neighbor.

At Christmastime, Eue said, Harper and her sister would deliver homemade ornaments to neighbors. On May Day, they dropped off baskets. During COVID-19 they sent notes to check in. She frequently saw the girls jumping on their trampoline and running through the sprinkler together, with big sister doting on the little one.

“She was incredible, so full of light,” Eue said of Harper. “She and her little sister were best friends.”

Eue cried while recounting the message Harper’s father sent to neighbors when he shared the devastating news: Hold your babies close.

In their statement, Harper’s family expressed gratitude “for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support. Harper’s light will always shine through us, and we hope her memory inspires others to work toward a safer, more compassionate world.”

They also asked for privacy as they mourn.

“We need space to grieve, to support Harper’s sister, and to hold tightly to one another,” they wrote.

Merkel gave his statement in front of a massive display of flowers that had been delivered throughout the day to the church by the truckload. After his statement, friends embraced the Merkels as they walked past the flowers and other trinkets on display.

Earlier Thursday, a trio of fifth graders arranged flowers in buckets and left notes on memorial crosses for the slain children.

One girl, Astoria Safe, had a ruby red wound in the middle of her forehead. She was “feeling OK,” she said, after placing a stuffed animal on display for Harper.

The three girls had been classmates of Harper’s. “She was like, really funny, really nice. She would always like, cheer people up,” said Libby Passa, who said her friendship with Harper went back to first grade.

Others who were close with the families came throughout the day to pay respects, including one father of Annunciation students who declined to give his name.

“They’re incredibly sweet kids,” he said, misty-eyed, of the students who were killed.

At one point, Jesse Merkel, Fletcher’s father, was seen walking near the front of the church and talking with a clergy member. Adults who approached him and hugged him were sobbing. He stopped in front of the flowers for a moment and left.

Included in an afternoon flower delivery was an enormous brown teddy bear. Placed at the church’s front door, it was surrounded by dozens of smaller stuffed toys, and a hand-drawn sign saying: “Fletcher, I love you always and forever, Mom.”

Notes from classmates and others were scrawled on the memorial crosses for both children. They read:

“Thank you for being a good friend to MJ.”

“You are so loved and so amazing.”

“Your creative soul changed the world.”

And, “We will miss you.”

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(Rachel Hutton contributed to this story.)

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