Doctors say 12-year-old Sophia Forchas remains in critical condition 10 days after being shot in the head during a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis.
Two children died and 21 people were injured when a shooter fired multiple weapons at students and adults attending Mass on Aug. 27.
Dr. Walt Galicich, chief of neurosurgery at Hennepin Healthcare, says Forchas is in a medically induced coma and that a bullet remains lodged in her brain. The bullet’s path, Galicich said during a news conference Friday, injured critical blood vessels.
“I can’t tell you how this is going to end,” he said. “I don’t know what her permanent deficits are going to be, but we’re a little more optimistic that she’s going to survive.”
One worry for doctors and family members is swelling of the brain. Galicich said part of Forchas’ skull had to be removed to accommodate swelling, but more might occur.
“We've seen plenty of cases, especially in young brains, where the swelling is quite delayed and can get worse over time,” he said. “We're starting to get out of that worrisome window, but we're not out of it yet.”
Forchas is showing signs of a possible recovery.
“There are a few rays of hope,” Galicich said. “She’s very purposeful on her left side of her body. She’s got some slight movement in her right leg and she’s opening her eyes.”
Forchas’ father, Tom Forchas, also spoke at the news conference.
“The world witnessed a heinous act committed by a coward,” he said. “My daughter, my precious angel … suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Sophia is kind. She is brilliant. She is full of life. She is an innocent child who was attacked while in prayer.
“These past 10 days have been the longest and hardest in our lives,” Tom Forchas added.
Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, died in the shooting. Merkel’s funeral is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
Tom Forchas said that when he spoke to his 9-year-old son about Merkel and Moyski’s death, the boy had kind words to say about both children.
“Harper is the most kind,” the boy said, according to his father, adding that Fletcher is “friends with everyone and is such a good friend to all of us.”
Forchas urged people to continue to pray.
“Continue to pray for Sophia, pray for peace,” he said. “Pray with vigor. We need you to keep the fervor with which you are praying and when you pray, move your feet.”
Forchas urged people to donate blood, volunteer time and listen to people suffering from pain.
At the end of the news conference, Galicich was asked if he wanted to share additional thoughts.
After hesitating for a moment, Galicich replied, “I hope someday we can get it through the politicians’ thick skulls how terrible it is to tell a 12-year-old’s parents that their child has been shot. I hope it would get through their skulls, that message, as well as some of these bullets do.”
A verified GoFundMe for the Forchas family had raised over $974,000 as of Friday afternoon.
