Recovery of 12-Year-Old Shooting Survivor
A 12-year-old girl who was shot in the head during the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis this August has been discharged from the hospital. Her parents attribute her recovery to what they call the “miraculous power of prayer.”
Sofia Forkas was critically injured when a gunman opened fire on August 27. She was rushed to a local hospital where emergency surgery was performed to alleviate swelling by removing a part of her skull. Following the surgery, she was placed in a medically induced coma.
Supporters gathered outside the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis on Thursday, holding signs to welcome Sofia, who had recently been receiving treatment and rehabilitation at Gillette Children’s Hospital.
Sofia’s parents expressed overwhelming joy, describing her release as “one of the most special days” of their lives. They shared on a GoFundMe page, aimed at collecting funds for her ongoing recovery, that they were grateful to the skilled medical professionals who helped them through this ordeal. The fundraising effort has raised approximately $1.2 million.
According to her parents, Sofia is now able to walk, swim, and even dribble a basketball, marking significant progress in her recovery journey.
The couple reflected, “Every step she takes is living proof of God’s boundless grace and the miraculous power of prayer.” They also expressed their condolences to the victims of the tragic shooting that led to this situation, highlighting the memory of those who lost their lives.
In the August incident, two children, Chancellor Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moisky, were killed, while 18 others, including 15 children, were injured. Sofia’s mother, who works as a pediatric critical care nurse, unfortunately discovered that her daughter was among the casualties while at work.
Sofia’s older brother was also present during the shooting but thankfully was not injured.
Authorities report that the alleged shooter, Robin Westman, opened fire from outside the school shortly after students had gathered for Mass. The terrifying episode lasted about ten minutes before the gunman took his own life.
