'One side of skull removed': Minneapolis shooting victim's nurse mother was treating others when her daughter, 12, was shot at

A 12-year-old girl from Minneapolis, identified as Sophia Forchas, is one of the victims in the deadly shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School on August 27, 2025 that killed two children and injured 18 others. Sophia's family is asking for prayers as she remains in critical condition.

Sophia was struck in the head, sustaining severe trauma that caused life-threatening brain swelling and the attack sent shockwaves through the community.

On the day of the tragic incident, Sophia Forchas, a seventh grader, was attending Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis when 23-year-old Robin Westman shot into the church through its windows, according to police.


Sophia was shot in the attack and Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, were killed. Eighteen others, including 15 children, were injured. Sophia's was attending the mass alongside her younger brother, who was present during the shooting but luckily escaped physical harm.

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Part of Sophia's skull removed

Rep. Ilhan Omar, who represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, shared a statement with permission from Sophia’s family on her X account. The statement says Sophia “had to have one side of her skull removed” as part of her treatment. It adds that “it is crucial to keep the swelling down,” and that she may need to have more of her skull removed.

Should that happen, the statement said, "She would still survive but they're not sure what her quality of life would be."

According to a report in Times of India, emergency neurosurgeons performed a decompressive craniectomy — a life-saving procedure where part of the skull is temporarily removed to ease swelling and protect the brain from further damage. The operation was needed given the seriousness of her injuries and the high risk of lasting neurological harm.

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At present, Sophia Forchas is in critical condition and is in intensive care at Hennepin County Medical Center where her mother is a nurse. Her mother had arrived at work "before knowing it was her children’s school that was attacked, and that her daughter was critically injured." Her family previously declined to speak publicly.

It is pertinent to note that Sophia Forcha's mother is a pediatric critical care nurse at Hennepin County Medical Center. It is the same hospital where Sophia was admitted after the emergency surgery. Her mother was deployed on duty in the Pediatric ICU that morning and was helping other victims before learning that her daughter had been injured in the attack.

Her father, Thomas Forchas, has organized a GoFundMe campaign to support Sophia’s medical care. The GoFundMe was started last week to assist with Sophia's medical care and recovery says she had undergone emergency surgery.

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Sophia Forchas has been described as a "bright, kind, and full of life young girl" currently fighting for her life. The family has been part of Minneapolis’ faith community for generations, attending St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, and Sophia’s younger brother continues to cope with the emotional trauma of witnessing the events.

The family’s GoFundMe page states that Sophia and her younger brother attend the pre-K-8 school run by the church. Her brother was inside the school during the shooting but was not physically injured.

The shooter Robert Westman was armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol, according to police, who said the three guns were legally purchased. Westman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Authorities also noted that personal life events, including a recent breakup, may have contributed to his mental and emotional deterioration, which culminated in his violent attack on children and parishioners.