Neurosurgeon Sees 'Rays of Hope' for 12-Year-Old Critically Wounded in Minneapolis Church Shooting

A neurosurgeon treating a 12-year-old girl critically injured in a deadly shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic church said Friday there are “rays of hope,” though he cautioned it remains difficult to predict whether she will survive.

Sophia Forchas was the most seriously wounded child among those who survived after a gunman opened fire during the Church of the Annunciation’s first school Mass on Aug. 27. Two students were killed and 21 people were injured in the attack; police said the shooter died by suicide.

Sophia remains in intensive care at Hennepin Healthcare, a trauma center that has treated many of the victims. Her neurosurgeon, Dr. Walt Galicich, said a bullet remains lodged in her brain and caused severe damage, including injury to a major blood vessel. Surgeons removed the left half of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain.

"If you had told me at this juncture, 10 days later, that we'd be standing here with any ray of hope, I would have said it would take a miracle," Galicich told reporters. He warned that despite some encouraging signs, it is still hard to predict whether she will survive.

Hospital officials have not released detailed updates on Sophia’s condition beyond the neurosurgeon’s remarks. Hennepin Healthcare previously said it was treating multiple patients from the shooting and has mobilized trauma and critical care teams in the days following the attack.

The shooting occurred as students and staff from the affiliated Annunciation Catholic School gathered for the first Mass of the academic year. Authorities have not released details on the motive. Investigators and local officials have said they continue to offer support and counseling to the school and parish community.

Medical teams caring for patients with severe brain injuries often face uncertain prognoses in the days and weeks after surgery, especially when bullets remain lodged in brain tissue and major blood vessels are involved. Treatment typically focuses first on stabilizing patients, managing intracranial pressure and preventing further complications before assessing longer-term neurological recovery.

As Sophia remains under close observation in the hospital’s intensive care unit, her care team has emphasized cautious optimism while underscoring the unpredictability of outcomes in such serious injuries. The community and the victims’ families have been engaged in ongoing recovery and support efforts as investigations into the Aug. 27 shooting continue.