Orthodox Girl's 'Miraculous' Recovery After Being Shot in the Head
Sophia Forchas was shot during the attack on Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis on August 27.
MINNEAPOLIS — Sophia Forchas, a 12-year-old Orthodox girl who was injured in the August 27 mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, has shown remarkable progress, with her condition upgraded from critical to serious, her family announced on September 12.
Sophia was shot in the head during the attack that killed two children and injured 21. She faced a grim prognosis. Her neurosurgeon, Dr. Walter Galicich, called her recovery “miraculous,” noting that she arrived with severe brain trauma. The bullet remains in her head to avoid further damage, and part of her skull was removed to manage swelling.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $1.1 million for her care. Sophia’s family credits global prayers and support for her progress, calling her a “warrior” fighting a steep recovery with determination.
She and her family are members of St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, in Minneapolis.
