Minneapolis Catholic school massacre victim asks doctor to pray with him before surgery

A 13-year-old boy who was injured during Wednesday’s mass shooting at a Minnesota Catholic Church and school asked that the surgeon pray with him before the young teen went into surgery, his family said.

In a GoFundMe set up by 13-year-old Endre Gunter’s aunt, Natalie Davis, she said that Gunter, before being rushed into surgery, "looked at the surgeon and asked one simple, powerful request, 'Can you say a prayer with me?'" Davis wrote that her nephew has shown "strength and faith beyond his years."

"The surgeon later told us that not only did Endre survive the surgery, he fought through a terrifying event with courage that inspired the entire medical team. That moment of prayer, and Endre’s resilience, will stay with our family forever."

Gunter is recovering in the hospital "surrounded by his loved ones and the best medical team possible." Davis wrote, "While the road ahead is long, we are beyond grateful he is still with us. The emotional and physical healing will take time and resources."

The GoFundMe, which has raised over $159,000 as of Friday morning, will be going towards Gunter’s medical bills, rehabilitation, trauma counseling, and to support his immediate family.

On Wednesday, trans-identified male gunman Robert "Robin" Westman opened fire on Minneapolis’ Annunciation Church and school. Inside the Church, students were attending their first mass of the school year. Killed in the attack were eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. The gunman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.

Moyski’s parents, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, said, "Our hearts are broken not only as parents, but also for Harper's sister, who adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss. As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain."

Merkel’s father said, "Please remember Fletcher for the person he was, not the act that ended his life." He added, "A coward decided to take our 8-year-old son Fletcher away from us. Because of their actions, we will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him, and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming. Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking and any sport that he was allowed to play. While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time our family can find healing."