Recovery of Shooting Survivor Marks a Hopeful Moment
In a heartening development nearly two months after the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in south Minneapolis, 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, the last hospitalized survivor, has been discharged from the hospital. This is a significant step in the community’s ongoing process of healing.
On August 27, a man fired into the Annunciation Catholic Church during the school’s first week back, while students ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade attended a morning mass. Sadly, this incident resulted in the deaths of two students, 10-year-old Harper Moisky and 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel. Authorities reported that three adults and 15 children were also injured in the shooting.
Sophia, who was critically injured with a gunshot to her left temporal lobe, faced grave situations after the attack. When she arrived at the hospital, doctors initially warned her family that she was near death and would require extensive surgery. She underwent a procedure to relieve pressure from swelling in her brain, was placed in a medically induced coma, and suffered a stroke due to her injuries, along with a bullet remaining lodged in her brain, as shared by her neurosurgeon, Dr. Walt Galicic.
Despite this grim outlook, signs of recovery began to emerge over the following weeks. The family expressed gratitude for the community’s prayers and support. They received news last month that Sophia would be transferred from acute care to an inpatient rehabilitation program, a positive indicator of her recovery progress.
“Your prayers have been powerful. It’s truly a miracle that Sophia survived this horrific attack. Her healing is remarkable and reflects the mercy we hold dear,” shared the family in September.
Recently, a white limousine arrived at Gillette Children’s Hospital to take Sophia home. It made a touching stop at Hennepin Healthcare, where staff welcomed her enthusiastically under a banner that proclaimed “SOPHIA STRONG.” During her visit, she reunited with Ozzy, her therapy dog, who had been a comforting presence during her stay. The team even celebrated her upcoming 13th birthday with a spontaneous rendition of “Happy Birthday.” Sophia, born on October 25, 2012, is set to turn 13 during this weekend.
“Considering it’s only been about two months since this terrible event, it’s amazing to see her wanting to go home and return to school,” Dr. Galicic remarked.
Sophia then visited the school and church where the tragic event occurred, looking for the comfort of her classmates and friends. While she has made tremendous progress, she continues to face challenges from her traumatic brain injury.
Tremendous support has been shown for Sophia and her family, with more than $1.1 million raised through a fundraising campaign. Tom and Amy Forchas shared an update on the fundraising site, conveying their gratitude and ongoing hope.
“Sophia’s recovery pathway is ongoing with outpatient treatment ahead, but we feel immense joy witnessing her speech improve and her personality returning,” they noted. “Every step she takes is a testament to grace and the power of prayer.”
Sophia’s brother Anthony, who was present during the shooting, escaped without injury, while other injured students were swiftly taken to the same hospital where their mother works. Amy learned about the shooting only when injured children were being brought in for care.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey acknowledged Sophia’s return home, expressing, “Welcome home, Sophia. Minneapolis loves you.”
