Girl shot in head during Minneapolis church shooting makes miraculous recovery
12-year-old Sophia Forchas continues to show neurological improvement; doctors plan transition to inpatient rehabilitation.
MINNEAPOLIS — A 12-year-old girl who was shot in the head during the Aug. 27 mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church is making a steady recovery, according to Hennepin Healthcare. In a statement released Monday, the hospital said Sophia Forchas has shown progress in her neurological status and is on a path toward inpatient rehabilitation.
Family representatives said Sophia is “winning” and that “your prayers are working.” The Forchas family described her survival as a “miracle” and thanked the many people around the world who have offered support. The shooting at the church during the first Mass of the school year left two children dead and 18 injured, including 15 students and several parishioners. Sophia was among those critically injured after a bullet lodged in her head, authorities said. The attack also deeply affected the Annunciation community and drew prayers from across faith traditions.
A close timeline of events shows that police were dispatched to the church during the first morning Mass when gunfire shattered stained-glass windows and pews as students and parishioners sought cover. Sophia’s mother, a pediatric critical-care nurse who was on shift at Hennepin Healthcare, learned her daughter was among the injured while at work. The Forchas family has expressed gratitude for the hospital staff and the broader community that has offered financial and spiritual support as Sophia begins what doctors describe as a long rehabilitation journey.
Neurosurgical teams have described the injury in detail. A bullet lodged in the seventh-grader’s head caused extensive damage, according to Dr. Walt Galcich, the neurosurgeon who has treated Sophia. He noted that the initial surgery was complex and lengthy, and that Sophia remained in critical condition in the days that followed. Since then, doctors have observed signs of neurological recovery, with researchers and clinicians emphasizing that progress in such cases can be gradual and non-linear. As of the latest update, her medical team is cautiously optimistic but continues to plan a transition from acute care at Hennepin County Medical Center to an inpatient rehabilitation program that will involve extensive therapy across physical, occupational, speech, and cognitive domains.
In addition to Sophia, the shooting tragically claimed the lives of Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, among others, and left 18 people injured, including many students. Investigators have identified the shooter as Robin Westman, though officials have not disclosed a motive. A GoFundMe page has been established to assist Sophia’s family with medical costs and related expenses. The Forchas family noted that Sophia’s younger brother was inside the school at the time of the shooting but did not suffer physical injuries. They extended thanks to the “extraordinary staff” at Hennepin Healthcare and asked supporters to remain in prayer as Sophia continues to recover.
The church and school communities have rallied in the wake of the attack. Sophia’s mother, a longtime pediatric critical-care nurse, was at the hospital when she learned of her daughter's fate, underscoring the impact the event has had on families connected to the medical system as well as the faith community. The family also acknowledged prayers from leaders across faith lines, including figures described in their message as His All-Holiness Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew and His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, who they said offered spiritual support from afar.
As doctors monitor Sophia’s progress, hospital officials say the next phase will hinge on her ability to participate in a structured rehabilitation program designed to maximize neurological recovery and functional independence. The transition to inpatient rehab signals a shift from life-saving measures to long-term restoration of skills, with continued therapy expected for many months. While the medical team remains focused on medical stability, the family has asked for continued prayers and support, expressing hope that Sophia will rebuild strength and independence with time and care.
The events have prompted renewed discussions about safety and trauma response in communities across Minnesota and the country. Authorities continued to gather evidence and review security protocols at religious and educational facilities in the region. In the meantime, the Forchas family — and many others touched by the tragedy — remain focused on Sophia’s recovery and on supporting siblings, classmates, and parishioners as they navigate the long path to healing. Hospital officials emphasized that while Sophia’s condition has improved, she still faces a protracted period of therapy and monitoring to support her neurological and cognitive rehabilitation. The story of her resilience has become a central thread in the broader narrative of the day, reminding communities of the human toll of such violent incidents and the steadfast work of medical professionals who treat those affected.