A tragic school shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis has left the community shattered, claiming the lives of two children and injuring 17 others. Among the victims is 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, the daughter of a pediatric nurse who rushed to the hospital that morning to care for the wounded.

On Wednesday morning, Amy Forchas, a pediatric nurse at Hennepin Healthcare, reported for duty to help treat victims of the mass shooting. Unbeknownst to her, one of the injured children being rushed in was her own daughter.

The Attack

Authorities identified the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman, a former student at the school. According to The Guardian, Westman fired multiple weapons — including a rifle, shotgun, and pistol — through the church’s stained-glass windows during a school Mass.

The gunfire claimed the lives of 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, while leaving nearly two dozen others injured.

A Mother’s Worst Nightmare

As the injured began arriving at Hennepin County Medical Center, Amy Forchas was stunned to find her daughter among them.

“Her mother, a Pediatric Critical Care nurse, arrived at work to help during the tragedy, before knowing it was her children’s school that was attacked, and that her daughter was critically injured,” a GoFundMe page organized by Sophia’s father, Thomas Forchas, reads.

Sophia remains in the ICU after undergoing emergency surgery. “Her road ahead will be long, uncertain, and incredibly difficult — but she is strong, and she is not alone,” the family shared.

Community in Prayer

Father Timothy Sas of St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church described Sophia as a devoted seventh grader deeply involved in her church community.

“I have spent much of the day with Sophia’s family at Hennepin County Medical Center where Sophia went into surgery immediately,” Father Sas wrote. “We prayed and comforted each other throughout the day.”

Sophia’s younger brother was also present at the Mass but was not physically harmed. The family emphasized, however, that the trauma of witnessing the attack and his sister’s critical injuries will leave lasting scars.

A Long Recovery Ahead

As Sophia fights for her life, the Minneapolis community has rallied around the Forchas family. Support has poured in through donations, prayers, and vigils, underscoring the collective grief and solidarity in the wake of this devastating tragedy.