In the wake of a horrific church shooting in Minneapolis, one family is still living moment to moment — clinging to the smallest signs of progress.
For 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, the battle for survival continues, but her doctors say there are now “rays of hope” piercing through the darkest of days.
The Brutal Attack That Shook a Community
On August 27, chaos erupted during a Mass at the Church of the Annunciation.
A 23-year-old transgender shooter, Robin Westman, opened fire on students and staff.
Two young lives were cut short and 21 others were injured before Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Among the wounded, Sophia suffered the most severe injuries.
The Toughest Battle in the Hospital
Since the attack, Sophia has been under the care of trauma specialists at Hennepin Healthcare.
While other victims have been discharged, she remains in the intensive care unit.
Neurosurgeon Dr. Walt Galicich, who is leading her treatment, described her condition with both honesty and cautious optimism.
“I’m going to be blunt,” he told reporters. “Sophia is still in critical condition.
There’s a chance she could become the third fatality from this event. But there are some rays of hope shining through.”
The Extent of Her Injuries
The bullet entered Sophia’s temporal lobe — a part of the brain vital for language, memory, and processing information.
It also severely damaged a major blood vessel. Surgeons were forced to remove the left half of her skull to relieve dangerous swelling.
“If you had told me ten days ago we’d even have this sliver of hope, I’d have said it would take a miracle,” Galicich admitted.
Signs of Life Amid the Struggle
Sophia is being kept in a medically induced coma to ease the pressure on her brain. Yet, there are faint but powerful signals of progress.
She has opened her eyes, shown some awareness of her surroundings, and even moved her right leg.
Still, she isn’t yet following commands, and the long-term outcome is uncertain.
“It’s day by day,” Galicich explained. “She’s had a stroke from the vessel injury.
We don’t know what permanent deficits she’ll face. But we’re more optimistic she’s going to survive.”
A Father’s Anguish and His Words for the Shooter
When Sophia’s father, Tom Forchas, stepped forward, his words were filled with pain, anger, and determination.
“Just over a week ago, the world saw a heinous act committed by a coward,” he said. “To attack children praying during Mass is unfathomable.
My daughter, my precious angel, was shot in the head while she was in prayer.”
A Family’s Longest Ten Days
Tom revealed that Sophia’s younger brother, just nine years old, was also in the church during the attack but was unharmed.
He praised the dedication of Sophia’s medical team, including his wife, Amy, a pediatric nurse who has not left their daughter’s bedside.
“These past ten days have been the longest and hardest of our lives,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.
Global Prayers Lifting a Little Girl
What has carried the family through this nightmare is not only medical care but the overwhelming support from around the world.
Tom shared that prayers for Sophia have come from nearly every corner of the globe — from Oslo to Johannesburg, Sydney to Santiago, and even from sacred Mount Athos in Greece to their hometown of Minneapolis.
“It’s miraculous to know that millions of people have lifted her name in prayer,” he said.
Love, Faith, and the Will to Fight
In closing, Tom held tightly to the belief that his daughter’s strength and spirit will prevail.
“Sophia is strong. Sophia is fighting. And Sophia is going to win this fight — not just for herself, but for all of humanity.”