Another child's room now a silent memorial to the toll of school shootings
August 21, 2026 / 8:01 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Fletcher Merkel, 8, was killed in a school shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School on August 27, 2025.
- His parents, Jesse and Mollie, keep his bedroom preserved as a silent memorial.
- The room contains personal items that reflect Fletcher's interests, such as Legos, buffaloes, the Green Bay Packers, and his Cub Scout uniform.
- Fletcher's journal, detailing a successful plan to steal cookies, is also kept as a reminder of his life.
- The preservation of these rooms is part of a documentary project aiming to highlight the impact of school shootings.
- Parents hope these preserved spaces will encourage empathy and prevent future tragedies.