A 12-year-old girl who suffered a gunshot wound to the head during a tragic shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic church has made an incredible recovery — walking out of the hospital to a standing ovation.
Sophia Forchas was among nearly 200 children gathered for Mass at the Church of the Annunciation when a gunman began firing through the church windows, killing two people and injuring 17 others. Sophia’s injuries were among the most severe, and doctors initially feared she would not make it.
Surgeons at Hennepin County Medical Center performed an emergency procedure, removing part of her skull to ease pressure on her brain. “We were deeply concerned she wouldn’t survive,” said Dr. Walt Galicich, her neurosurgeon. “But she showed a level of strength and determination I’ll never forget.”
On Thursday, Sophia was discharged from the hospital, accompanied by Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara in a stretch limousine. As they passed through the city, crowds lined the streets, clapping and holding signs to celebrate her recovery. “Her survival is nothing less than miraculous,” O’Hara said.
