Sophia Forchas, a 12-year-old girl who was shot in the head during the Aug. 27 Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis, has been released from hospital after an astonishing recovery. Her parents credited the ‘miraculous power of prayer’ for her survival and expressed their gratitude to the medical professionals who saved her life.
The incident, which took place at the church during a mass service, led to the tragic deaths of two children and injuries to 18 others. Despite the severity of her injuries, including emergency surgery and a medically induced coma, Sophia has now regained the ability to walk, swim, and even dribble a basketball. Her mother, a pediatric critical care nurse, discovered her daughter’s condition at work, highlighting the emotional toll of the event on the family.
The alleged shooter, Robin Westman, a transgender man who had previously used the name Robert Westman, opened fire from outside the church and ultimately took his own life during the attack. The attack, which unfolded over approximately 10 minutes, was marked by chaos and fear, with students and congregants in the pews caught in the crossfire. The event has sparked widespread discussions about gun violence, mental health, and the safety of religious institutions, particularly in the wake of other recent mass shootings in the United States.
Following the tragedy, the Forchas family has received overwhelming support from the community, with a GoFundMe page raising nearly $1.2 million to assist with Sophia’s recovery. The family has also expressed prayers for those killed and injured in the attack, emphasizing their hope for healing and remembrance of the victims. The incident has also prompted local authorities to review safety measures for places of worship and to consider further legislation on gun control, though no definitive policy changes have been announced as of yet.