12-Year-Old Girl Survives Gunshot to the Head, Stuns Doctors with Her Recovery
In Minneapolis, a devastating tragedy unfolded at Annunciation Catholic Church and School, transforming what should have been a typical day into a scene of heartbreak and fear. During the shooting, two children — 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski — lost their lives, while one young girl, 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, was critically injured. Shot in the head, Sophia’s battle for survival has become a powerful story of resilience, courage, and hope.
The attack struck without warning in a place that should have been safe: a school and church, a community sanctuary. Families waited anxiously for news about their children. In a cruel twist, Sophia’s mother, a pediatric critical care nurse, was at her hospital shift when her own daughter was rushed into the emergency room with life-threatening injuries. Sophia’s younger brother, also present during the shooting, miraculously escaped unharmed, though the emotional impact will likely remain for years.
Sophia has been described by her family as bright, compassionate, and full of life — a girl whose curiosity and empathy stood out even among her peers. She was immediately admitted to the hospital in critical condition. The bullet lodged in her skull caused severe brain swelling, prompting emergency surgery to relieve pressure. Early reports from medical professionals painted a grim picture.
Dr. Walt Galicich, the lead neurosurgeon, said, “We were dealing with severe trauma. When a child suffers a penetrating brain injury of this magnitude, survival is uncertain. If you had told me a week ago that Sophia would show any signs of recovery, I would have called it a miracle.”
Yet, in the days following, signs of life began to emerge, offering the first glimmers of hope.
Sophia’s family shared that her condition improved from “critical” to “serious.” While she remains in intensive care, constantly monitored by medical teams, she has shown neurological responses including basic reflexes, limb movement, and reactions to voice and light. “The road ahead is steep,” her family stated, “but Sophia is climbing it with fierce determination. She is fighting not just for herself, but for every soul who has lifted her up in prayer, in love, and in hope.”
Her recovery will be long and arduous, likely requiring additional surgeries, extensive rehabilitation, speech therapy, and ongoing psychological care. Yet, every moment of responsiveness is considered a victory that once seemed impossible.
The community response has been overwhelming. Vigils, prayer circles, and messages of support have poured in locally and internationally. A GoFundMe campaign was established to help the family with medical costs, lost income, and long-term care. Donations have come from friends, family, and strangers moved by Sophia’s courage.
Vice President JD Vance visited the hospital, meeting with Sophia’s family and highlighting the importance of national unity in the aftermath of such tragedies. “Sophia’s strength in the face of such devastating injury is nothing short of extraordinary. Her story is a reminder of how much we need each other — as neighbors, as families, as citizens. We must keep praying for her and continue supporting the incredible medical professionals who are giving her a chance at life,” he said.
Sophia’s injuries are medically complex, and her recovery demands constant attention from a team of specialists. Beyond the physical, the psychological and emotional impact on her, her family, classmates, and teachers will require long-term care and support.
Her family has expressed gratitude for the support they have received: “In the darkest moment of our lives, we were held up by the prayers of strangers, the care of nurses, the skill of surgeons, and the compassion of people near and far. We don’t know what tomorrow holds — but today, we are thankful that our daughter is still with us.”