Nurse mom was on ICU duty when her wounded daughter arrived after Minneapolis shooting
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: A Minneapolis ICU nurse who was working her shift on Wednesday, August 27, discovered that the critically wounded 12-year-old girl rushed into the trauma unit was her own daughter, Sophia Forchas.
Earlier that morning, 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire through the windows of Annunciation Catholic Church during mass, unleashing a devastating school shooting. He killed two children, ages 8 and 10, and injured several others, including Sophia, who remains in critical condition.
Sophia Forchas in ICU after emergency surgery
According to a GoFundMe campaign organized by Michelle Erickson on behalf of the Forchas family, the tragic school shooting left their community devastated.
Erickson wrote, “On August 27th 2025, our community was shattered by a heartbreaking school shooting that injured several students — including 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, a bright, kind, and full of life young girl who is now fighting for her life.”
The campaign shared an update on Sophia’s condition, stating, "Sophia was shot during the attack and is currently in critical condition in the ICU. She has already undergone emergency surgery, and her medical team is doing everything they can to stabilize her."
“Her road ahead will be long, uncertain, and incredibly difficult — but she is strong, and she is not alone,” the update read.
The fundraiser also revealed another layer of heartbreak that Sophia’s younger brother was inside the school during the shooting.
"Her younger brother was also inside the school during the shooting. Though he was physically unharmed, the trauma of witnessing such a terrifying event — and knowing his sister was critically injured — is something no child should ever experience,” the campaign noted.
It added, "Furthermore, 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."
"Her parents are by her side, holding onto hope while also trying to support their son through the emotional aftermath," the page read.
Forchas family faces financial strain after Minneapolis school shooting
The GoFundMe campaign for 12-year-old Sophia Forchas highlights the immense financial strain her family faces following the Minneapolis shooting. The page explains, “The financial strain is enormous: ongoing ICU care, future surgeries, trauma counseling, lost income, travel, and the countless unknowns that lie ahead."
The fundraiser’s purpose is clear, “We are raising funds to support this brave family during the hardest moment of their lives.” It outlines how donations will be used, including, "Sophia’s critical medical care and recovery, Trauma counseling for both children, Family support services and therapy, Lost wages for the family."
The campaign closes with a heartfelt message of gratitude, “Please, if you are able, donate to help this family hold onto hope. And if you can’t give, sharing this page means more than you know. Together, we can ease some of the burden they never should have had to carry. Thank you for your compassion, support, and prayers. With heartfelt gratitude.”
As of this writing, the campaign has raised $601,000 of its $620,000 goal from over 10,700 donations, achieving 97 percent of its target.
Where is Sophia Forchas being treated after the school shooting?
Father Timothy Sas of St Mary's Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis confirmed that Sophia Forchas, a seventh grader, is being treated at Hennepin County Medical Center.
In a statement posted to the church’s Facebook page on Wednesday, Father Sas shared that he had spent “a good portion of the day” at the hospital with Sophia and her family.
“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 in his lengthy post.
Hennepin Healthcare, responding to an inquiry, confirmed that Sophia’s mother works in the pediatric intensive care unit where Sophia remains in critical condition. The GoFundMe campaign also lists Sophia’s father, Thomas Forchas, as a co-organizer.
