Memorial set for 10-year-old girl killed in Annunciation shooting

A memorial for Harper Moyski with “music, food, laughter” is scheduled for next weekend at the Lake Harriet Bandshell in Minneapolis.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
September 6, 2025 at 8:06PM
A cross with the name of 10-year-old shooting victim Harper Moyski is seen amid flowers outside Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. (Alex Wroblewski/The Associated Press)

A public memorial will be held next weekend for Harper Moyski, the 10-year-old girl killed Aug. 27 in the mass shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis.

Harper’s life will be celebrated starting at noon Sept. 14 at the Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy., Minneapolis, according to an obituary released Saturday by family members on the Cremation Society of Minnesota website.

The memorial will include “music, food, laughter, and the kind of joy Harper brought into the world,” according to the obituary. “All who loved her are welcome.” Food and refreshments will be provided.

Harper, according to the obituary — signed by parents Jackie Flavin and Mike Moyski, and sister Quinn Moyski — wanted to become a veterinarian “and had the heart and smarts to do it.” She was her own person, someone who “loved stories, skincare and creating videos about anything and everything from nature to nail polish. ... She made us laugh every single day.”

Harper Moyski

According to her family, Harper “could hold her own in any conversation, especially about fairness or injustice, and had a sharp radar for social issues.” She was a girl who cared about “animals, people, and the planet,” who “asked every question and expected real answers.”

The Moyski family had set a goal of visiting all 63 national parks in the United States before Harper graduated from college. “With each trip, Harper led the way — wide-eyed, curious, and always up for the next trail,“ the family said.

“More than anything,” according to the family, “Harper loved her little sister Quinn. She adored her, looked out for her, and lit up when they were together. That bond will never be broken.”

“Harper’s light will never go out,” the family said. “Her presence, her voice, her humor, her joy — they live in all of us now. She taught us to live with intention. To speak up. To be kind, even when it’s hard. To embrace every day with curiosity, courage, and heart."

Services for Fletcher Merkel, the 8-year-old boy also killed during the Catholic church shootings, will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

about the writer

about the writer

Kevin Duchschere

Team Leader

Kevin Duchschere, a metro team editor, has worked in the newsroom since 1986 as a general assignment reporter and has covered St. Paul City Hall, the Minnesota Legislature and Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington and Dakota counties. He was St. Paul bureau chief in 2005-07 and Suburbs team leader in 2015-20.

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