'Harper's light will shine through us and, we hope ...inspire a safer world'

THE devastated parents of two children shot dead in a church have described their heartbreak.

- By Stephen Beech

Harper Moyski, 10, and Fletcher Merkel, eight, were killed while praying at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis.

Fifteen other children, aged six to 15 and three adults in their 80s were wounded when Robin Westman, 23, fired 116 rounds through the stained-glass windows.

Harper’s parents Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin said in a statement that their daughter was "bright, joyful and deeply loved" and her "kindness and spirit touched everyone who knew her".

The family added: "As a family, we are shattered and words cannot capture the depth of our pain.

Violence

"No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain.