In a moment that no parent could ever prepare for, a pediatric critical care nurse in Minneapolis found herself at the center of a nightmare when her daughter, critically wounded in a school shooting, was rushed to the very hospital where she worked. On August 27, 2025, a gunman opened fire during a morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church, killing two children and injuring 17 others, including 12-year-old Sophia Forchas. Sophia’s mother, unaware that her own children’s school was under attack, was already on duty in the ICU when her daughter arrived, fighting for her life. This devastating story of loss, resilience, and a community in mourning captures the profound impact of a tragedy that has shaken South Minneapolis to its core.
A Morning Mass Turned Deadly
The day began like any other at Annunciation Catholic Church, where students from the attached pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade school gathered for an all-school Mass to mark the start of the academic year. Among them was Sophia Forchas, a vibrant seventh-grader, and her younger brother, both part of the close-knit parish community. But at around 8:15 a.m., the sanctity of the church was shattered when 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire through the windows, armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol. The attack claimed the lives of an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old, leaving 17 others wounded, including 14 children and three elderly parishioners.
Sophia was among the critically injured, shot during the chaos and rushed to Hennepin County Medical Center for emergency surgery. Her mother, a seasoned ICU nurse, had arrived at work that morning, oblivious to the fact that the victims flooding the hospital included her own daughter. “She arrived to work before knowing it was her children’s school that was attacked, and that her daughter was critically injured,” a GoFundMe campaign later revealed, painting a heart-wrenching picture of a mother thrust into an unimaginable crisis.
A Nurse’s Duty Collides with Personal Tragedy
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As a pediatric critical care nurse, Sophia’s mother was accustomed to high-stakes situations, saving young lives in the ICU. But nothing could have prepared her for the moment she learned her own daughter was among the victims. The hospital, already a hub of urgency as it received 11 of the 17 injured, became a place of personal anguish. Sophia underwent emergency surgery and was admitted to the ICU, where she began a long and uncertain recovery. “Her road ahead will be long, uncertain, and incredibly difficult, but she is strong, and she is not alone,” the GoFundMe campaign stated, reflecting the family’s hope amid their pain.
Sophia’s younger brother, also at the school during the shooting, escaped physical harm but was left deeply traumatized. “The trauma of witnessing such a terrifying event, and knowing his sister was critically injured, is something no child should ever experience,” the fundraiser noted. The family’s ordeal underscores the ripple effects of gun violence, touching not just those physically wounded but also those who bear the emotional scars.
A Community Rallies Around a Grieving Family
In the wake of the tragedy, the Minneapolis community has rallied to support the Forchas family. A GoFundMe campaign, co-organized by Sophia’s father, Thomas Forchas, had raised over $200,000 by Thursday afternoon to cover medical expenses, trauma counseling for Sophia and her brother, and other unforeseen costs. The outpouring of support reflects the tight-knit nature of the Annunciation parish and the broader St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church community, where Sophia was born and raised. Father Timothy Sas, a priest at St. Mary’s, spent much of Wednesday at the hospital with the family, offering spiritual support. “Sophia was born and raised in our St. Mary’s parish, immersed in the life of the Church together with her extended family of several generations who are devoted members of our congregation,” he wrote on the church’s Facebook page.
The community’s response extends beyond financial aid. Vigils and prayer services have sprung up across South Minneapolis, with flowers left outside Annunciation Catholic School as a tribute to the victims. The school, a cornerstone of the neighborhood, has been evacuated, and students were reunited with their families at a designated reunification zone, a scene marked by tearful embraces and lingering shock.
The Investigation: A Search for Motives
The shooter, identified as Robin Westman, died by suicide at the scene, leaving authorities to piece together the motives behind the attack. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described Westman as a 23-year-old from suburban Minneapolis with no prior criminal history, who legally purchased the three firearms used in the shooting. The FBI is investigating the incident as a possible act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime against Catholics, according to Director Kash Patel. Westman reportedly scheduled a manifesto to be published on YouTube, though its contents remain under scrutiny as investigators work to understand what drove the attack.
The shooting was one of four deadly incidents in Minneapolis within a 24-hour period, a wave of violence that has left the city shaken. Mayor Jacob Frey, speaking on CBS Mornings, called it an “unspeakable tragedy,” urging a renewed focus on gun control. “We need to recognize that we love our children more than we love our guns,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.
A Broader Call for Healing and Change
The tragedy at Annunciation Catholic Church has reignited national conversations about school safety, gun violence, and mental health support. The surviving victims, including Sophia, face a long road to recovery, both physically and emotionally. For Sophia’s mother, the dual role of nurse and grieving parent adds a layer of complexity to an already unbearable situation. The GoFundMe campaign emphasizes the family’s strength, noting that Sophia “is not alone” as they navigate this challenging journey.
Nationwide, the incident joins a grim tally of school shootings, with advocates calling for stronger preventive measures. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who has been briefed on the situation, expressed solidarity, stating, “I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.” President Donald Trump and other officials have echoed calls for prayers and action, while local leaders like Representative Ilhan Omar have pledged to monitor developments closely.
As Minneapolis mourns, the Forchas family’s story stands as a poignant reminder of the human cost of such tragedies. Sophia’s fight for recovery, her mother’s quiet heroism in the ICU, and the community’s unwavering support highlight the resilience that emerges in the face of despair. While the scars of August 27 will linger, the hope for healing and justice drives this family and their city forward, one step at a time.
