Family of hospitalized Annunciation shooting victim Sophia Forchas calls her progress ‘a miracle,’ asks for more prayers

The family of 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head at the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church, said in a Sept. 12 update that her hospital has upgraded her condition from critical to serious.

The family said in the update, posted to their GoFundMe, that they are grateful for the outpouring of prayers for Sophia’s recovery, which has been an intense uphill battle since she was hospitalized Aug. 27. 

“Doctors warned us she was on the brink of death,” the family said. “In that darkest hour, the world responded with faithful devotion and fervent prayer. We thank you for all the prayers, love, and unwavering support from across the globe.” 

CatholicVote previously reported that Dr. Walt Galicich, chief of neurosurgery at Hennepin Healthcare, said in a Sept. 5 update on Sophia’s condition that doctors had to remove half of her skull due to swelling, and even then, risks of swelling remained. At the time of the Sept. 5 update, Sophia was in a medically-induced coma, but Galicich said she was showing signs of improvement. 

She “is very purposeful on her left side of her body, she’s got some slight movement in her right leg, and she’s opening her eyes,” Galicich said, adding that there are “a few rays of hope” for her. 

Hennepin Healthcare upgraded Sophia’s condition from critical to serious on Sept. 10, the family said in the most recent update.  

“Her progress to this point is being called miraculous,” her family said. “We are calling it a miracle.”

Concluding, the Forchas family reiterated their call for prayer for Sophia’s recovery. 

“The road ahead for Sophia is steep, but she is climbing it with fierce determination. She is fighting not just for herself, but for every soul who stood by her in prayer,” they said. “Please continue to keep Sophia in your hearts and prayers. She is a warrior! And she is winning!!”