Crucial time for Sophia Forchas, 12-year-old critically wounded in Annunciation mass shooting

Sophia Forchas, a 12-year-old girl critically injured in a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School, remains in a precarious medical condition as of Thursday morning. Her family stresses that immediate medical treatment is essential to control brain swelling, with potential surgery looming if conditions do not improve. The shooting, which took place on August 27, left 21 people injured, including 18 children, and claimed the lives of 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. On Tuesday, Bishop Michael Izen visited Sophia, offering a blessing with holy water from Lourdes, France. The Forchas family’s urgent statement has been widely shared on social media, including by Rep.

Ilhan Omar, who represents the district where the shooting occurred. Meanwhile, Lydia Kaiser, another victim, is being treated at Children’s Minnesota, and her father has called for action against gun violence following a visit from Vice President JD Vance. The situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding gun violence and the urgent need for reform. As the community rallies around the victims, the Forchas family’s plea for prayers underscores the human impact of such tragedies.