{"id":36313,"date":"2025-08-29T16:45:14","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T16:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=36313"},"modified":"2025-08-29T16:45:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T16:45:14","slug":"family-of-two-children-8-and-10-killed-during-the-annunciation-catholic-church-shooting-speak-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=36313","title":{"rendered":"Family of Two Children, 8 and 10, Killed During the Annunciation Catholic Church Shooting Speak Up"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Harper<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Harper Moyski | Fletcher Merkel | Source: Facebook\/MnPublicSafety<\/div>\n

Family of Two Children, 8 and 10, Killed During the Annunciation Catholic Church Shooting Speak Up<\/h1>\n
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In the wake of unimaginable loss, two grieving families are turning sorrow into a plea for change \u2014 determined that a single violent act won’t define their children’s lives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In a community torn apart by bloodshed inside a sacred space<\/strong>, the shattered families of Fletcher Merkel<\/strong>, 8, and Harper Moyski<\/strong>, 10, are remembering the children’s boundless spirits and the devastation<\/i> left behind after a gunman opened fire at a Catholic school. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A memorial in front of Annunciation Catholic Church on August 28, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Now, with tears still fresh<\/strong>, these parents are refusing to let the tragedy fade into the background. They’re demanding accountability, remembrance<\/strong>, and, above all, change<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Parents<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Parents outside Annunciation School following the mass shooting on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The lives of Fletcher <\/strong>and Harper <\/strong>were cut short<\/a> in a hail of bullets<\/strong> when a 23-year-old former student unleashed terror at Annunciation Catholic School’s Church<\/strong> in Minneapolis. The children were just steps away from their classrooms<\/strong> when the gunman opened fire through church windows in a rampage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Annunciation Catholic Church behind police tape following the mass shooting on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Fletcher<\/strong>, an outdoors-loving, sports-obsessed 8-year-old, was remembered by his grieving father, Jesse Merkel<\/strong>, in a powerful, emotional statement<\/a> outside the school:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Yesterday, 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.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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\"People<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

People at a vigil at Lynnhurst Park to mourn the dead and pray for the wounded after the gunman opened fire on students at Annunciation Catholic Church on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Fighting back tears, Jesse spoke of a boy who was happiest with a fishing pole in one hand and cooking utensils in the other<\/strong>. A child who lived life with joy, laughter, and energy \u2014 until that joy was snuffed out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Jesse revealed that Fletcher also loved his family, his friends<\/strong>, and any sport he was allowed to play.<\/strong> “While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time, our family can find healing. I pray that the other victim’s family can find some semblance of the same,” he continued<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A woman at a memorial for the shooting victims at Annunciation Catholic Church on August 28, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Harper <\/strong>was described<\/a> by her grieving parents as a “bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Michael Moyski<\/strong> and Jackie Flavin<\/strong> released a heart-wrenching statement honoring the little girl whose laughter echoed in every room she entered <\/i>\u2014 her life now reduced to memories<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"People<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

People at a vigil at Lynnhurst Park to mourn the dead and pray for the wounded after the gunman opened fire on students at Annunciation Catholic Church on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The couple also revealed<\/a> the devastating toll on Harper’s younger sister<\/strong>, who adored her big sibling \u2014 and now must carry the unbearable burden<\/i> of her absence:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“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.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Members<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Members of the church comforting one another after a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In total, 18 people were injured<\/strong> \u2014 15 of them children<\/strong>. All are expected to survive, thanks in large part to quick-thinking staff and heroic students<\/strong> who took swift action.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Jesse <\/strong>called out those acts of bravery, saying<\/a>, “Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more. For these people, I’m thankful.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Police<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Police working the scene at Annunciation Catholic School on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Through their pain, both families are demanding that Fletcher and Harper’s deaths not become another statistic<\/strong> in America’s worsening gun crisis. They are calling on lawmakers, school leaders, and communities to finally step up \u2014 before more lives are stolen. In their statement, Harper’s parents <\/strong>pleaded<\/strong><\/a>: <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain. We urge our leaders and communities to take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country. Change is possible, and it is necessary \u2014 so that Harper’s story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Parents<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Parents at the Annunciation School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 27, 2025. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Jesse, in turn, urged<\/a> people to remember not the shooting, but the boy who was stolen by it. He added that others should give their children “an extra hug and kiss today” and asked that Fletcher be remembered as “the person he was, and not the act that ended his life.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Toys<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Toys and flowers at a memorial after the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 27, 2025. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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As Minneapolis mourns, the haunting image of two lifeless children in the pews of their church<\/i> will not be forgotten anytime soon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But their parents refuse to let grief be the final word<\/strong> \u2014 turning anguish into activism in the hopes that no more parents are forced to stand where they are standing now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"People<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

People visiting a memorial in front of Annunciation Catholic Church on August 28, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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As we previously reported<\/strong>, what began as a peaceful student Mass ended in unspeakable terror<\/strong> when a lone gunman opened fire<\/strong> inside a Minneapolis church on August 27, 2025, targeting children in their pews and leaving the community reeling from unthinkable loss.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Police<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Police secure the scene outside Annunciation Catholic Church after a gunman opened fire during a school Mass, killing two children and injuring others, on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Authorities have now identified the shooter, who left a trail of disturbing online content and a handwritten manifesto revealing years of inner turmoil.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Families<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Families walk with children away from Annunciation Church after the shooting during a school Mass in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The congregation had gathered at Annunciation Church <\/strong>when gunfire erupted \u2014 tearing through stained-glass windows and shattering the sanctuary’s peace<\/strong>. According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara<\/strong>, the attacker<\/a> “began firing a rifle through church windows.” <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Law<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Law enforcement officers secure the area outside Annunciation Church in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Brian added<\/a>, “The shooter fired towards the children sitting in the pews at the Mass.” <\/strong>He stated that a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol<\/strong> were all fired during the assault.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Minneapolis<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara speaks during a press conference as Mayor Jacob Frey listens following the Annunciation Church shooting on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The City of Minneapolis <\/strong>issued a public alert<\/strong><\/a>, urging residents to avoid the area. First responders arrived swiftly, but the toll was already devastating: two children, <\/strong>ages 8 and 10<\/strong><\/a>, were killed<\/strong>. Meanwhile, 17 others were wounded<\/a>, 14 of them children<\/strong>. Two remain in critical condition<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Authorities named the shooter as Robin Westman<\/strong>, a local resident in her early 20s. Police Chief Brian said Robin is believed to be dead<\/strong><\/a>. According to KSTP, she <\/strong>legally changed her name<\/strong><\/a> from Robert in 2020<\/strong> and is reported to have identified as a woman<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Robin had no extensive criminal history<\/strong>, but a now-deleted YouTube channel<\/strong> showed videos with firearms<\/strong>, anti-religious symbols<\/strong>, white supremacist imagery<\/strong>, and racial slurs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Robin<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Robin Westman, identified by police as the suspect in the Minneapolis church shooting | Source: Facebook\/DavidJHarrisJr<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Also recovered was a handwritten, <\/strong>four-page manifesto<\/strong><\/a>, which<\/strong> documented years of mental deterioration<\/strong>, hopelessness, and emotional isolation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Robin opens with an admission that <\/strong>forgiveness is unlikely<\/strong><\/a>, and any apology would ring hollow.<\/strong> Even so, she directs a remorseful note to her family and those closest to her, acknowledging the damage her actions will inflict on their lives<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The opening page of the manifesto addressed to family and friends, in which Robin Westman expressed regret and inner turmoil | Source: Facebook\/ChristinaAguayoNews<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A manifesto page where Robin Westman wrote about illness, depression, and intent to carry out a final act | Source: Facebook\/ChristinaAguayoNews<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Robin further wrote<\/a>, “I have wanted this for so long. I am not well. I am not right. I am a sad person, haunted by these thoughts that do not go away. I know this is wrong, but I can’t seem to stop myself.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A page from the manifesto signed by Robin Westman, expressing apologies to family and asking for prayers for the victims | Source: Facebook\/ChristinaAguayoNews<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Among the terrified children inside was fifth-grader Weston Halse<\/strong>, who later recounted the chaos<\/strong>. According to KSTP<\/strong>, he quickly hid under a pew<\/strong><\/a> as the gunfire erupted <\/strong>and then noticed specks of gunpowder<\/strong> dusting his neck.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“My friend Victor, like, saved me though ’cause he laid on top of me, but he got hit,” he shared<\/a> in a separate CBS interview.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Weston <\/strong>and other students were ushered into the gym, where the doors were locked to keep the shooter out. He was later reunited with his mother.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He explained<\/a> how he felt when he saw his mom, “I was super happy because I was scared that I wasn’t gonna see her ’cause I didn’t know what was happening, really. I was just in shock. It was like right beside me. I was like two seats away from the stained-glass windows. So they were like, the shots were like right next to me.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Regarding his friend’s condition, the little boy admitted<\/a> he was “super scared for him,” but felt relieved when he learned his friend had been taken to the hospital, and he believes he’s okay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Parents<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Parents and students gather outside Annunciation Church in Minneapolis after the shooting on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Carla Maldonado<\/strong>, a parent whose two children survived, described the panic she and her husband, Pedro, felt when they arrived at the church. Her husband began shouting for their children in fear<\/strong>, before they found their 7-year-old daughter in the parking lot<\/strong>. Their 11-year-old son had been hiding in the basement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A woman embraces a child outside Annunciation Church after the shooting in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“I have such mixed feelings right now, so many of them,”<\/strong> Carla shared<\/a>. “But I am just incredibly grateful that this school did and had been preparing, and also just incredibly sad and angry that this has to be a thing in any school.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Families<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Families comfort one another near Annunciation Church following the deadly shooting in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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She said<\/a> school shootings have become so common, they feel “like a broken record.” <\/strong>The mom of two added that many parents share the same fear and frustration, and emphasized that even one life lost is too many<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Parents<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Parents lead their children out of Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis after the church shooting on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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President Donald Trump<\/strong> addressed<\/a> the tragedy on Truth Social, “I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI quickly responded, and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House Rose Garden | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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He ordered all U.S. flags to be <\/strong>flown at half-staff<\/strong><\/a> until sunset on August 31<\/strong> in memory of the victims, including at the White House, federal buildings, military posts, and naval installations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The U.S. flag flies at half-staff above the White House after President Donald Trump ordered the tribute for victims of the Minneapolis church shooting on August 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The same applies to all U.S. diplomatic and other federal facilities abroad, including military sites and naval vessels\/stations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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news.AmoMama.com does not support or promote any kind of violence, self-harm, or abusive behavior. We raise awareness about these issues to help potential victims seek professional counseling and prevent anyone from getting hurt. news.AmoMama.com speaks out against the above mentioned and news.AmoMama.com advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. that benefits the victims. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Harper Moyski | Fletcher Merkel | Source: Facebook\/MnPublicSafety Family of Two Children, 8 and 10, Killed During the Annunciation Catholic Church Shooting Speak Up In the wake of unimaginable loss, … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":36314,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36313","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=36313"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36315,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36313\/revisions\/36315"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/36314"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}