MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A 12-year-old girl shot in the head during a tragic shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis is making remarkable progress, according to her family. Sophia Forchas, the most severely injured child among the survivors, will transition this week from acute care to an inpatient rehabilitation program.
Despite the serious nature of her injuries, her medical team remains cautiously optimistic, noting her signs of neurological recovery just weeks following the shooting, where doctors were initially unsure if she would survive. In a statement, her family expressed their gratitude and emphasized Sophia's strength, calling her 'strong, brave, and unwavering' in her pursuit of recovery.
The heartbreaking incident occurred while Sophia and her classmates at Annunciation Catholic School were celebrating the first Mass of the new school year. The shooter opened fire through a window, leading to the deaths of two students and injuring 21 others before taking his own life.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Sophia’s mother, a nurse at Hennepin Healthcare, discovered her daughter had been shot only after arriving at work to assist with treating the victims.
Sophia underwent emergency surgery, where a bullet was removed from her brain, causing significant damage to a major blood vessel. Her neurosurgeon stated that pressure relief required the removal of the left side of her skull. Although there is much work ahead filled with extensive therapy, her family highlighted that her resilience continues to inspire hope for recovery.
