Family of Annunciation Church shooting victim reports ‘steady’ improvements

One of the last victims hurt in the deadly mass shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis is continuing to recover, according to an update from her family on GoFundMe.

12-year-old Sophia Forchas is showing steady neurological improvement and is scheduled to move this week from acute care at HCMC to an inpatient rehabilitation program for ongoing therapy.

Almost a week after the mass shooting, Forchas’ surgeon told reporters about the severity of her injuries, adding that, “she may be the third fatality of this event.” Watch the video of that coverage below.

Doctors and family give update on 12-year-old girl injured in Annunciation shooting

RELATED: ‘There’s some rays of hope’: Neurosurgeon hopeful about recovery of 12-year-old shot at Annunciation Church

The full statement from Forchas’ family is available below. The GoFundMe for Forchas can be found by CLICKING HERE.

“Sophia is winning! Your Prayers are working.

“On behalf of our entire family, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone near and far, for the continued prayers, the outpouring of love, and the tremendous support for our precious Sophia. We are humbled by the countless individuals across the globe who have lifted her up in prayer, including His All-Holiness Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew and His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.

“Your prayers have been powerful. Sophia surviving this horrific attack is a miracle. Her healing progress is nothing short of miraculous; an undeniable testament to the mercy and intervention of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each day we uncover new revelations of moments and circumstances that kept her alive and made her recovery possible. There are simply too many to be dismissed as coincidence. God has heard our prayers and wrapped Sophia in His healing embrace.

“We’re thrilled to share that Sophia continues to make steady progress, showing promising signs of neurological recovery. Her doctors remain cautiously optimistic, and her exceptional medical team is preparing for her transition this week from acute care at HCMC to an inpatient rehabilitation program. 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. We ask that you continue to pray for her as she walks this road to recovery.

“It is by God’s will that she has come this far. We are eternally grateful to our loving Father, who hears and answers prayers. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the extraordinary staff of Hennepin Healthcare at HCMC for their tireless dedication and world-class care. To our extended family, the Orthodox Church, our Annunciation school family, our friends and colleagues, and the many strangers who have become prayer warriors for Sophia; we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

“Please continue to pray. Pray for peace and when you pray, move your feet. Let us worship God together and walk forward in Faith, Hope, and Love. Together we can create a better tomorrow.“
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