Girl Injured Minneapolis Church Shooting Leaves Critical Condition

Sophia Forchas, a 12-year-old girl critically injured in the deadly shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, has been upgraded from critical to serious condition, marking a significant improvement in her recovery. She was shot in the temporal lobe, suffering severe damage to a major blood vessel, and underwent surgery to remove half of her skull to accommodate brain swelling; the bullet remains lodged in her brain as removal would offer no benefit. Doctors have described her progress as a 'miracle,' though they continue to monitor her closely due to the risk of lasting neurological impacts. The shooting, carried out by 23-year-old Robin Westman, killed two children and injured 21 others, including 18 children, all of whom are expected to survive. Sophia spent 15 days in the ICU at Hennepin Healthcare Trauma Center, with her family and community providing support during her ongoing treatment. Medical professionals emphasize that while her prognosis has improved, the situation remains delicate and her full recovery is uncertain.