A 12-year-old girl who miraculously survived the Annunciation Church and School mass shooting in Minneapolis was joyfully welcomed home on Thursday morning by her community.
Sophia Forchas was among the 21 injured when a shooter opened fire during a school-wide mass on the morning of August 27.
Two children, Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, were killed in the bloodbath.
Sophia’s doctor had previously expressed concerns that she would become the third fatality.
She suffered a severe brain injury, and the bullet was lodged in her brain for over a week before surgeons removed the left half of her skull.
On September 12, her family issued a statement that said doctors had warned that she ‘was on the brink of death,’ but that ‘rays of hope emerged’.
Nearly two months after she was shot, Sophia is now returning home and was welcomed by the community with cheers and gifts.
‘She has inspired so many of us and this day is truly a reason to celebrate,’ Hennepin County Medical Center(HCMC) said.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara joined the officers who responded to the shooting to escort Sophia in a stretch limousine from a rehabilitation facility to HCMC, where she was treated after the shooting.
Sophia arrived at the hospital with her family to greet the medical staff that helped save her life after the August 27 shooting
Sophia was greeted by posters that read ‘Sophia Strong’ and banners that wished her a happy birthday ahead of her 13th birthday
Sophia suffered a gunshot wound to the head during a shooting in Minneapolis at Annunciation Church and School
Chief O’Hara said that Sophia’s return was ‘nothing short of a miracle’ and thanked her parents for allowing the officers to be a part of her homecoming.
A video shared by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey showed many community members lining the streets, holding signs, as police cars escorted the white limousine.
‘Welcome home, Sophia. Minneapolis loves you,’ Frey said.
She was greeted by staff who cared for her in the wake of her critical injuries and was accompanied by her family.
Sophia wore blue sweats and a St Paul Saints ball cap and was all smiles as staff members ran up to hug her.
Some attendees gave her gifts, and a large banner that read ‘Sophia Strong’ was erected in front of the hospital.
Another banner wished her a happy birthday, as she returned home just two days before her 13th.
After she stopped to see the medical staff, she visited her school, where she was welcomed by students and teachers, before finally returning home.
Sophia’s doctor said it was ‘amazing’ to see her walking around and wanting to go back to school after he feared she would be the third fatality from the shooting
Sophia’s surgeon, Dr. Walt Galicich, was among those waiting to greet her, and he became emotional when hugging the girl he once feared wouldn’t survive.
‘To see her walking around wanting to go home and go back to school is pretty amazing,’ Galicich said.
On September 12, her parents said that Sophia’s road to recovery was ‘steep, but she is climbing it with fierce determination.’
Sophia’s family said she is facing her injuries with ‘fierce determination’
A few weeks later, her family shared that Sophia was surviving the attack and her progress was ‘nothing short of miraculous.’
‘Though she still has a long journey ahead, filled with extensive therapy, her resilience continues to inspire hope at every step. Sophia is strong, brave, and unwavering in her fight toward healing,’ they added.
Her family issued an update on their GoFundMe on Thursday, announcing Sophia’s homecoming as ‘one of the most extraordinary days of our lives.’
‘We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the remarkable medical professionals whose skill, compassion, and unwavering dedication brought us to this moment,’ her family said.
They added that Sophia still has a long road ahead of her in outpatient therapy. Her speech is improving daily, and she’s now able to walk, swim, and dribble a basketball.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey shared a video of community members lining the streets and cheering for Sophia as a white limo brought her home
Sophia was one of 21 people injured during the shooting. Another victim was recently released from the hospital after suffering a traumatic brain injury
Another victim in the shooting, Lydia Kaiser, 12, was also recently released from the hospital after suffering a traumatic brain injury.
Lydia wrote in an online fundraiser on October 16 that she had returned to school and that her headaches had subsided.
‘It’s so hard to believe I actually got shot, and other kids did too. It makes me angry, but I don’t want to let the shooter win,’ Lydia added.
The shooter was identified as Robin Westman, 23, a former student at Annunciation who died outside the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
