Remembering Fletcher: A Room Frozen in Time

In south Minneapolis, a second-floor bedroom stands unchanged. This room belonged to 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel. For his parents, Jesse and Mollie, it serves as a silent tribute. Fletcher was one of two students tragically lost in the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School on August 27, 2025.

Jesse shared, “He’s not with us the way we want him to be, but this is the best we have.” He sees the room as a personal monument to Fletcher’s spirit. For Mollie, maintaining the room’s authenticity helps preserve her connection to her son’s memory. “If the room’s not his,” she explained, “I feel like that memory — like I won’t feel it the same way.”

Photographer Lou Bopp and correspondent Steve Hartman have documented several such bedrooms. Their work is featured in the Netflix short documentary “All the Empty Rooms,” which won an Academy Award. They continue this project for any families who wish to participate, while the issue of school shootings remains.

These bedrooms are sacred places where memories live on. Parents can keep these images privately or share them. Jesse Merkel hopes these glimpses make others consider, “What if that was me?” Mollie emphasizes the importance of sharing who Fletcher was, fondly recalling his early love for bugs and animals. The photos capture this vibrant energy.

Scattered in Fletcher’s room are shoes worn three weeks before his death, a comforting blanket, and other cherished items. Legos, buffalo figures, Green Bay Packers memorabilia, and “Fletcher’s Garden” of plants all reflect his passions. His Cub Scout uniform hangs as a symbol of his involvement.

Fletcher’s journal offers a peek into his playful personality. One entry details a plan to snag cookies from a downstairs jar, ending with the boast, “This plan was successful.” These fond memories offer Mollie and Jesse a way to keep Fletcher’s spirit alive despite the heartache.

When asked if letting America see this room might make a difference, Fletcher’s parents gave a hopeful yes. Mollie stated, “They have to feel it.” Jesse added, “As a human, you have to say this can’t happen to anybody else.”