Girl critically injured in Minneapolis parish shooting undergoes surgery at hospital where her mother works
A 12-year-old girl shot during the Aug. 27 assault on a Minneapolis Catholic parish underwent emergency surgery following the attack in the intensive care unit of the hospital where her mother works as a pediatric critical care nurse.
Sophia Forchas had just started seventh grade at Annunciation Catholic School when she was shot during a Mass held at the adjoining Annunciation Catholic Church, CBS News reported.
According to the FBI, the gunman, 23-year-old Robert “Robin” Westman, opened fire during the liturgy at Annunciation Catholic Church, killing two children and wounding 17 others before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The “transgender” suspect left behind a manifesto and other evidence indicating the attack was motivated in part by anti-Catholic ideology.
Sophia’s mother rushed to Hennepin Healthcare to help treat the incoming patients, not realizing that the shooting had taken place at her daughter’s school. She later learned that Sophia was among the victims, according to a GoFundMe page established for the family.
“[Sophia’s] medical team is doing everything they can to stabilize her,” the page stated. “Her road ahead will be long, uncertain, and incredibly difficult — but she is strong, and she is not alone.”
Sophia’s younger brother was also at the church during the incident but was not physically injured. The page described the emotional toll of witnessing the violence.
“The trauma of witnessing such a terrifying event — and knowing his sister was critically injured — is something no child should ever experience,” it stated, later adding, “[Sophia’s] parents are by her side, holding onto hope while also trying to support their son through the emotional aftermath.”
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The Forchas family are active members of St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis. In a statement, Father Timothy Sas, that church's pastor, said the family has deep roots in the parish and thanked those offering prayers.
"Sophia was born and raised in our St. Mary's parish, immersed in the life of the Church together with her extended family of several generations who are devoted members of our congregation," Fr. Sas told CBS. "Sophia's family and I are truly thankful for the immediate embrace of prayers coming from literally all parts of the world."
