12-Year-Old Girl Shows Miraculous Recovery After Church Shooting in Minneapolis

Fri Oct 17 2025 02:57:20 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Sophia Forchas, who was critically injured in a church shooting in Minneapolis, is making significant strides towards recovery, moving from acute care to a rehabilitation program, according to her family.

Sophia Forchas, the most seriously injured child in the Minneapolis church shooting that left two dead and many wounded, is showing signs of recovery after being shot in the head. Her family recently announced she will transition to an inpatient rehabilitation program. Initially, her survival was uncertain, but she is now demonstrating neurological improvement and remains a symbol of hope for her loved ones.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A 12-year-old girl shot in the head during a deadly attack at a Catholic church in Minneapolis less than a month ago is making miraculous progress, her family said in a statement.

Sophia Forchas, who sustained the most severe injuries among those who survived the shooting at the Church of the Annunciation, is set to move into an inpatient rehabilitation program this week.

Despite the challenges, her medical team retains a cautious optimism as Sophia shows promising signs of neurological recovery just weeks after medical professionals expressed uncertainty regarding her survival.

Sophia is strong, brave, and unwavering in her fight toward healing. We ask that you continue to pray for her as she walks this road to recovery. It is by God’s will that she has come this far, her family shared in a statement released by Hennepin Healthcare, where she is receiving care.

Sophia celebrated the first Mass of the new school year with her classmates at Annunciation Catholic School when a shooter opened fire, resulting in two fatalities and injuring 21 others. Authorities reported that the assailant ultimately took his own life.

Sophia’s mother, a nurse at Hennepin Healthcare, was unaware of her daughter’s injury until she arrived at work to assist those wounded in the shooting.

Following the incident, Sophia underwent emergency surgery where a bullet was found lodged in her brain, causing severe damage. Surgeons had to remove a portion of her skull to alleviate pressure.

Though she still has a long journey ahead, filled with extensive therapy, her resilience continues to inspire hope at every step, her family expressed.