The Invisible Wounds Project Wellness Summit is working to provide mental health support for veterans, first responders and those who serve them. The event runs from 9 a.m. on Nov. 17 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 18. FOX 9’s Leah Beno spoke with Executive Director Russ Haines to learn more about the nonprofit and the summit.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Twin Cities community came together for a heartfelt fundraiser honoring the victims of the Annunciation Catholic Church mass shooting.

Fundraiser honors Harper Moyski

What we know:

The fundraiser took place at M1 Volleyball Center, where students played volleyball in memory of Harper Moyski, one of the children killed in the shooting on Aug. 27. Harper’s parents, Jackie Flavin and Mike Moyski, emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces for community gatherings.

“We’re raising funds to create spaces like this where people can play, and be safe, and come together and get a sense of belonging,” said Flavin.

The event also featured a wall where children expressed their hopes for a world of kindness and peace. Harper’s dad, Mike Moyski, shared the mixed emotions of honoring Harper, saying, “There’s also this mix of emotions where you’re really sad when you see this and know that Harper would love to be here, but at the same time we really know that she’s here with us.”

Community shows resilience

What they’re saying:

Organizer Katie Abrams highlighted the resilience of the children, many of whom were present during the shooting. 

“Almost all of them were in the church that day, and they’ve been through a lot. And yet here they are living in the present, and finding joy and laughter,” said Abrams.

The fundraiser concluded with a live and silent auction at Nine Mile Brewing Company, drawing a large crowd. Brock Safe, another organizer, noted the strong turnout and unity, stating, “Today when we started this, we had 300 kids participating in this, and we all got together after the Moyski’s beautiful speech, we all got together and did love for Harper on 3.”

The proceeds from the event will go towards a memorial for both Harper Moyski and Fletcher Merkel, the 8-year-old who died in the mass shooting. Also, funds will go towards the Minneapolis Parks Foundation to create park space.

After months of delays and a lot of questions in our reporting, the City of Minneapolis says interviews are underway in its auditor’s review of two high-profile cases. 

Frustration grows as review drags on due to lack of officer cooperation

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has also obtained a memo from Minneapolis Police Department leadership addressed to its rank and file, reminding them of their “obligation” to participate in the auditor’s work and that disciplinary action could be taken if they don’t. 

It all stems from concerns shared last month by Minneapolis Auditor Robert Timmerman to city council committees about a lack of participation from MPD officers in two high-profile case reviews. 

Minneapolis auditor shares timeline of ‘resistance and delay’ with MPD participation

The letter was sent a week after 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS pressed city leaders for specifics on how they plan to get officers to comply.

Minneapolis safety commissioner says MPD will join audit, but how is still a mystery

Also, the city shares that the “interviews are underway and the review is ongoing.”

In regard to the discipline mentioned in the memo, MPD did not share what that punishment could look like, only sharing its discipline policy, which states “termination” is possible following “insubordination.” 

At the center of one of those reviews is Davis Moturi, whose case involves him getting shot in the neck by his neighbor after going to police multiple times over threats. 

“It’s good that they’re happening, but it sucks that it took that much effort,” Moturi said about the development that auditor interviews are underway. 

“I would like to live in a city in which we have officers that don’t act as if they’re untouchable,” Moturi added.

These delays are also costing taxpayers — the city auditor is getting help from an outside firm with the two cases, which is now expected to cost $200,000, up more than double from the original expected price of $90,000.

Auditor: Cost more than doubling for outside help reviewing high-profile cases, MPD not cooperating