The deadly shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, left many victims, including 12-year-old Sophia Forchas. She was shot in the head on Aug. 27, one of 23 casualties from an attack on a back-to-school Mass.
Now, though, the girl’s family says she is making steady progress and is showing “promising signs” of neurological recovery.
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Young girl fights to recover
Hennepin Healthcare released a statement on Monday on behalf of Sophia’s family, saying that doctors remain optimistic and that she is preparing to move from acute care to an inpatient rehabilitation program.
“Sophia is strong, brave, and unwavering in her fight toward healing,” the family wrote. “We ask that you continue to pray for her as she walks this road to recovery.”
The family thanked their church, Pope Leo XIV and the many people who have prayed for Sophia. They asked for continued support.
Sophia was among 19 students and four adults who were shot when 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire at Annunciation. Two students were killed, and Westman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene, according to authorities.
Sophia’s younger brother was also inside the church but was not physically harmed, according to a GoFundMe page. She was initially in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery. Doctors were uncertain about her recovery.
Doctors report cautious progress
Earlier this month, Sophia’s father and her neurosurgeon, Dr. Walter Galicich, shared an update on her recovery. Speaking at a Sept. 5 press conference, Galicich said “rays of light are shining through” as Sophia showed early signs of progress.
Galicich said the bullet entered Sophia’s left temporal lobe, damaging critical blood vessels in her brain. The injury caused swelling and pressure that he and other specialists at Hennepin Healthcare worked to relieve through surgery and other treatments.
“It’s day by day, and I can’t tell you how this is going to end,” he said. “I know she’s had a stroke from that injury to that blood vessel. I don’t know what her permanent deficits are going to be.”
