Little girl who had bullet lodged in brain during Minneapolis Catholic school shooting makes ‘miraculous’ recovery

The 12-year-old girl who had a bullet lodged in her brain during the deadly shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic church is making a “miraculous” recovery, her family said.

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“Sophia is strong, brave, and unwavering in her fight toward healing,” her family said in a statement, revealing that she has been moved to an inpatient rehabilitation program and showing signs of neurological recovery.

Sophia Forchas, 12, is recovering after being shot in the head during the Annunciation Church shooting last month.Gofundme

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Neurosurgeon Dr. Walt Galicich told reporters earlier this month that the bullet that was lodged in her brain was in a critical area that left experts wary of removing it, even 10 days after the shooting.

Galicich warned that he would have to “go through the normal brain” to get the bullet out, which could cause more damage with a low chance of survival.

The seventh grader had a bullet lodged in her brain for days, with half her skull removed to alleviate the pressure.Gofundme
The shooting left two children dead and 18 others injured.Star Tribune via Getty Images

The surgeons had to remove the left half of Sophia’s skull to relieve the pressure inside her head.

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The family said that she is now showing signs of progress and even able to breath on her own.

The deadly shooting claimed the lives of an 8-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl.

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“Though she still has a long journey ahead, filled with extensive therapy, her resilience continues to inspire hope at every step,” her family said.

“Sophia is winning! Your Prayers are working,” they added, thanking their supporters.

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Sophia’s mother was a nurse at Hennepin Healthcare, which is treating her daughter, and was working on the day of the shooting not knowing that her own child was among the victims.

* Original Article:

https://nypost.com/2025/09/23/us-news/minneapolis-catholic-school-shooting-victim-makes-miraculous-recovery/