Nearly two months after she was shot in the head during an all-school Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church, 12-year-old Sophia Forchas has been released from the hospital.
Her parents, Tom and Amy Forchas, shared the joyful update, calling it “one of the most extraordinary days of our lives.”
On Thursday, Sophia was discharged from Gillette Children’s Hospital — just two days before her 13th birthday.
A miraculous milestone
Sophia was shot on Aug. 27 when a transgender gunman opened fire inside the church shortly after Mass began for students and staff, killing 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski and injuring 30 others.
Forchas underwent emergency brain surgery at Hennepin Healthcare and spent weeks in critical condition before being transferred to Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul for intensive rehabilitation.
Doctors at Hennepin County Medical Center remained cautiously optimistic about Sophia’s recovery, the family said in a September update asking the public for prayers.
Community celebrates Sophia’s return
On Oct. 23, those prayers were answered. Sophia was discharged from Gillette and escorted home in a white limousine — but not before stopping at her school, where classmates greeted her with shouts and hugs, and at Hennepin Healthcare, where she was greeted by staff and the doctors who cared for her.
BREAKING: 12-year-old Sophia Forchas who was shot by a trans t*rrorist at school has been released from the hospital after making a miraculous recovery.
Prayers work.
Praise God! 🙏🏻pic.twitter.com/lyEnQmZNpr https://t.co/fYkOEKthg1
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 23, 2025
‘Overwhelmed with gratitude’
In a statement posted to the family’s GoFundMe page, the Forchas family expressed gratitude to the medical professionals who cared for their daughter.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the remarkable medical professionals whose skill, compassion, and unwavering dedication brought us to this moment,” they wrote, thanking Dr. Walt Galicich and his neurosurgical team, Dr. Bjorklund and the pediatric intensivists at HCMC, and Dr. Gormley’s rehabilitation team at Gillette.
“Each step she takes is a living testament to the boundless grace of God and the miraculous power of prayer.”
Her parents said she is now able to walk, swim, and even dribble a basketball — milestones that seemed impossible in the days following the shooting.
Continuing prayers for others
While rejoicing in their daughter’s recovery, the Forchas family said their hearts remain “tender” for the victims and families forever changed by the tragedy.
“We continue to pray for those whose lives were tragically lost on that heartbreaking day. May their memory be eternal,” they wrote. “May God grant healing, consolation and His peace to all who grieve.”
Sophia will continue outpatient therapy as she works toward a full recovery.
The family thanked supporters for their continued prayers and faith, saying they are certain “God heard every single one.”
A GoFundMe page for Sophia has surpassed $1.1 million.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
