On August 27, 2025, the unthinkable occurred at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis when a gunman, 23-year-old Robin Westman, opened fire through the church’s stained glass windows during morning mass. What started as a tragic school shooting became even more heart-wrenching for one family when a mother, working as an ICU nurse, learned her 12-year-old daughter was one of the critically injured victims.
Westman, a former student of the school, fired rounds at the children and parishioners inside, killing two young students—8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. In addition to the fatalities, 15 children and three elderly parishioners were injured. The shooter tragically took their own life after the attack.
Sophia Forchas: A Bright Young Girl Struck by Tragedy
Among the most severely injured was 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, a seventh-grader at the school, who was shot and needed emergency surgery. Her little brother, Anthony, was also at the school during the attack but thankfully emerged physically unharmed. However, the trauma of witnessing the horror and knowing his sister was critically injured is something no child should ever experience.
Credit / GoFundMe
Sophia’s mother, a dedicated pediatric ICU nurse, was on shift at the hospital at the time of the shooting. She had arrived at work to assist with the tragedy, not knowing her own children’s school had been targeted, and that her daughter was one of the victims.
A Mother’s Unimaginable Moment of Crisis
When the nurse arrived at the hospital, she was horrified to learn that her daughter was among the victims being rushed in for treatment. Father Timothy Sas, the family’s longtime parish priest, expressed his disbelief at the unimaginable pain Sophia’s mother experienced. “No priest is ever prepared enough to offer consolation for a moment like this,” he said in an emotional Facebook statement.
Sophia underwent a long and difficult surgery, and although she survived the procedure, she remains in critical condition. Her medical team is working tirelessly to stabilize her, though her road to recovery will be uncertain and difficult. Despite the overwhelming challenges ahead, Sophia’s family remains hopeful, describing her as a strong young girl who is not alone in her fight for recovery.
Community Support and Call for Change
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support the Forchas family during this challenging time, raising over $683,000 to help cover medical expenses and trauma recovery. The campaign also highlights the emotional toll that witnessing the event has had on Anthony, Sophia’s brother, and the entire family.
As the Forchas family focuses on Sophia’s recovery, the tragedy has reignited conversations surrounding gun violence, school safety, and the mental health crisis in communities across the United States. The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect children and educators.
.
Sophia’s Road Ahead
The Forchas family remains focused on Sophia’s recovery, navigating the immense trauma and uncertainty that has shattered their lives. With the support of their community and medical team, they are hopeful that Sophia will continue to fight through this devastating ordeal.
As conversations around school safety and gun violence continue, the Forchas family’s experience serves as a painful yet powerful reminder of the toll such tragedies take on families—and the resilience they must summon to move forward.
Donations and Support:
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support the Forchas family as they navigate this difficult journey. You can donate and offer support here.
Conclusion
The story of Sophia Forchas is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The bravery of her mother and family, in the face of such unimaginable pain, shows the resilience of the human spirit. As they continue to fight for Sophia’s recovery, their journey underscores the importance of support systems, both within families and communities, in times of crisis.
