A day of service and remembrance is being held in Minneapolis Thursday to mark one year since the deadly mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School.
Community members are invited to Pearl Park to help plant flowers and trees, assemble youth care kits, and collect school supplies from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday.
At 8:26 a.m. churches are encouraged to ring their bells in memory of Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, the two students killed in the shooting. Many other children were injured in the mass shooting, but miraculously survived.
Minneapolis residents are also asked to place two candles or lights in their windows to honor the victims.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has proclaimed Thursday 'Annunciation Day of Hope, Resilience, and Love.'
"One year ago, Minnesota was forever changed by a senseless act of violence at Annunciation Catholic Church and School," wrote Walz. "Today, we remember Harper. We remember Fletcher. We hold our kids close enough to feel their hearts beat and we move our feet towards peace."
GOP House Speaker, and gubernatorial candidate, Lisa Demuth along with House GOP Floor Leader Harry Niska also marked the occasion Thursday morning.
"Today we mark one year since a community was shattered and innocent children's lives were cut short as they gathered to pray," they said in a statement. "We honor the lives taken that day, and all those affected by the loss and terror inflicted in the most evil way. Every child should be safe in school."
All events at Annunciation Church and School are private and closed to the public, and closed to the media.
This morning, at 8:26 a.m., churches in Minneapolis rang their bells in memory of Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, the two students killed in the Annunciation mass shooting one year ago. This is outside of Annunciation Church from WCCO's @MarkFreie: pic.twitter.com/DbtrI4LSSv
— News Talk 830 WCCO (@wccoradio) August 27, 2026
First Responders to the shooting recall chaos - and miracles
Minneapolis Police were first to arrive on the scene one year ago, and a handful of those officers agreed to share what it was like that day, and what small miracles they found in the chaos.
Officer Yusef Hassan is a father, and says that made it even more difficult for him responding to the horrific scene, but he knew he couldn't let his emotions get the best of him.
"I think everybody can agree that kids are the only true innocents in this world," said officer Hassan.
He was one of hundreds of officers, first responders, paramedics, along with parents and staff at Annunciation to come together to try and save as many lives as possible.
Officer Liban Ibrahim was there helping to make sure the kids were getting loaded onto the ambulances quickly.
There was a lot going on, you know. And, I think my biggest thing was, at the time, trying to process the whole time, but at the same time focus on the kids," says Ibrahim. "That's all I could think about was those kids."
That was a critical piece in the operation because the injured were taken, according to severity, to different hospitals, and not overwhelming any one hospital, with the goal to save as many lives as possible.
Hassan also talked about on the profound impact it's had on his life.
"I'd be lying if I said no, I'm a I'm a father myself," Hassan adds. "Going through the church pews, and seeing children, that's something that's never gonna leave my head."
MPD Inspector Ryan Kelly was among the first on the scene, and talked about walking into the church without knowing what was happening, and reports of an active shooter.
"At that point, there were people laying everywhere blocking doors, but no one was injured that I could see," Kelly explains. "And then I remember somebody was yelling that it's the police, and all I saw were dozens and dozens and dozens of little heads starting to poke up from the from the pews. I just remember it's just like a rush coming over me, like oh my gosh."
MPD Officer Drea Mays believes there was divine intervention, adding that even with the loss of life, something kept more children from also being killed.
"For me, it's like, OK, they're in the house of the Lord, a place where you're supposed to feel safe," she explains. "So that in itself is very hurtful and tragic."
She also is grateful that they saved lives that day.
"And I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful the guy never made it in inside the church And I'm thankful that we made it as fast as we did, and as quickly as we did," Mays adds.
