The devastating mass shooting that unfolded Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis has left families shattered, a community reeling, and a city grappling with heartbreak. Fifteen children were injured during the attack, including 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, whose mother — a pediatric intensive care unit nurse at Hennepin County Medical Center — was working at the hospital as victims of the attack, including her own daughter, began arriving for emergency treatment.
Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting
According to a fundraiser set up on the family’s behalf, Forchas’s mother arrived to help care for the wounded without yet knowing the unimaginable truth: that her daughter was among them. “Sophia was shot during the attack and is currently in critical condition in the ICU,” the page reads. “She has already undergone emergency surgery, and her medical team is doing everything they can to stabilize her.”
The family’s pastor, Father Timothy Sas of St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, spent the day with relatives at the hospital as Sophia underwent surgery. He described her as a devoted seventh-grader deeply rooted in church life alongside her extended family. Her younger brother was also inside the school when the gunman opened fire, but he was not physically injured.
The attack claimed the lives of two children. On Thursday, one victim was identified as eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel, a boy remembered by his father, Jesse, as vibrant, curious, and full of love. In an emotional public statement, Jesse described his son’s passions — fishing, cooking, and sports — and the profound grief of losing him so suddenly. “Yesterday, a coward decided to take our 8-year-old son Fletcher away from us,” he said. “Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life. Give your kids an extra hug and kiss today.”
Another child, 13-year-old Endre Gunter, is recovering after undergoing emergency surgery. Shot twice in the stomach, Endre is said to have shown extraordinary courage in the moments before surgery, asking his surgeon to pray with him. His family reported that the medical team was deeply moved by his strength and faith. “While the road ahead is long, we are beyond grateful he is still with us,” they said. “In the face of unimaginable fear and pain, Endre showed strength and faith beyond his years.”
In total, eighteen people were injured during the shooting, including parishioners attending morning Mass. The alleged gunman, identified as Robin Westman, formerly Robert, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound as police arrived on scene. Authorities continue to investigate what motivated the attack.
For families like the Forchases, Merkels, Gunters, and the many others whose children are still recovering from injuries or psychological trauma, the tragedy has left scars that will last a lifetime. What should have been a day of prayer and celebration at the beginning of the school year was transformed into one of violence and loss.
