MINNEAPOLIS — A 12-year-old girl identified as Sophia Forchas, a seventh grader, is among the victims injured in the mass shooting that unfolded Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. The attack, which occurred during a school Mass, left two children dead and more than a dozen others injured, shocking the city and prompting an outpouring of grief and calls for unity.
Sophia, known to family and classmates as “Sophie,” was rushed to a nearby hospital with critical injuries following the shooting. In a cruel twist of fate, she was transported to the very hospital where her mother works. Sources say her mother was on duty when her daughter arrived at the emergency department, sparking a harrowing scene for the family and medical staff.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed during a press briefing that while Sophia and several other children remain hospitalized, all of the injured are expected to survive. “We are heartbroken for the families who lost their children,” O’Hara said. “At the same time, we are thankful that those injured are receiving care and have a strong chance of recovery.”
Authorities said the shooting began just after morning Mass had started, when a gunman opened fire inside the church where students and families had gathered. Witnesses described a chaotic scramble as teachers, parents, and parishioners shielded children and rushed them toward safety.
Among the victims, two young children — an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old — tragically did not survive. Their names have not yet been released publicly as authorities work to notify families and provide support. The loss has devastated the tight-knit parish community and left parents reeling with fear and sorrow.
Sophia’s friends and classmates described her as bright, kind, and deeply loved. Teachers at her middle school said she had a passion for reading, soccer, and helping others, noting her natural leadership among her peers. “She’s the type of student who lifts everyone up,” one teacher said. “To know that she is fighting for her life right now breaks our hearts.”
The attack has reignited discussions about safety at schools and places of worship. Annunciation Catholic Church, like many parishes, has long been a cornerstone of the community — a place families viewed as safe and sacred. The violence has shaken that sense of security.
City leaders have urged the public to come together in support of the victims and their families. Vigils are being planned across Minneapolis, with residents expected to gather to mourn the children lost, pray for the injured, and stand in solidarity with the grieving parish.
As Sophia continues to fight for recovery, her story has become emblematic of both the tragedy and resilience surrounding Wednesday’s shooting. For her mother — a hospital worker who has dedicated her life to saving others — the personal toll is unimaginable, yet she remains by her daughter’s side.
Investigators are continuing to piece together the events leading up to the shooting, including the gunman’s possible motives. Meanwhile, Minneapolis is left grappling with the heartbreak of lives lost and the urgent need to protect its youngest residents from senseless violence.