Minneapolis Nurse Discovers Critically Wounded Daughter Among Victims of School Shooting

What began as an ordinary shift for a pediatric ICU nurse at Hennepin Healthcare turned into a nightmare no parent should ever face. As victims of a devastating school shooting poured into the hospital, her 12-year-old daughter was among those rushed in with life-threatening injuries.

A Day of Horror

On the morning of August 27, gunfire shattered the peace at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. Twenty-three-year-old Robin Westman, a former student of the school, opened fire from outside the church where children had gathered for morning mass.

Standing beyond the stained glass, Westman aimed blindly through the narrow windows, firing into the pews where students sat. The attack left two children dead before the shooter took their own life.

“This was particularly heinous and cowardly,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara told reporters. “These children were slaughtered by someone who could not even see them.”

Young Victims

Authorities confirmed that 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski were killed. Fifteen children and three elderly parishioners were wounded.

“No words can fully express the grief we feel,” the Parish of the Annunciation shared in a statement. “But we will walk through this together.”

Sophia’s Fight

Among those most gravely injured was seventh grader Sophia Forchas, struck by gunfire and rushed into emergency surgery. Her younger brother Anthony, who was also inside the school, escaped physically unharmed but was deeply shaken by what he witnessed.

A GoFundMe campaign has already raised more than $680,000 to help the family, noting:

“The trauma of seeing his sister critically injured is something no child should ever endure.”

A Mother’s Worst Nightmare

What makes this story even more heartbreaking is that Sophia’s mother, a pediatric critical care nurse, was on duty that day—unaware her daughter’s school had been attacked. She rushed in to help the victims, only to realize her own child was among them.

Father Timothy Sas, the family’s parish priest, confirmed the unimaginable moment:

“Sophia’s mother was called into work during the tragedy, only to discover her daughter was one of the victims.”

Holding On

After hours of surgery, Sophia remains in critical condition. Her doctors continue working tirelessly to stabilize her, though her recovery will be long and uncertain.

“She is strong, and she is not alone,” the GoFundMe reads.

For now, the Forchas family clings to hope, supported by prayers, donations, and a community united in grief. Meanwhile, the attack has reignited urgent discussions about school safety, gun violence, and mental health in Minneapolis and beyond.

Sophia’s story is no longer just about tragedy—it is about resilience, the strength of family, and a community rallying together in the face of unthinkable pain.

🙏 Please send your prayers and words of support for Sophia and her loved ones in the comments, and share this story to spread strength and awareness.