MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — With heavy hearts, the Minneapolis community is grieving the death of 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, who became one of the young victims of the tragic Annunciation Catholic Church school shooting on August 27, 2025. After several days of fighting for her life, Sophia passed away at Hennepin County Medical Center, where she was surrounded by her loving family.
Sophia’s passing has deepened the sorrow already felt across the Twin Cities, where families, teachers, and classmates are struggling to make sense of the violence that shattered what should have been a safe and nurturing space. Vigils have been held nightly since the shooting, with candles, flowers, and handwritten messages placed outside the church and school grounds in her memory.
Family members described Sophia as a bright, compassionate, and joyful child who loved art, music, and spending time with her friends. Known for her radiant smile and kind heart, she was said to have touched everyone she met. Her parents, speaking through a family statement, expressed their heartbreak while thanking the community for the outpouring of love and prayers during their daughter’s final days.
“Words cannot capture the pain we feel in losing Sophia,” the family’s statement read. “She was our sunshine, our laughter, and our light. Though her time with us was far too short, her spirit will remain with us forever.”
Annunciation Catholic Church held a special Mass on Saturday in Sophia’s honor, where hundreds of parishioners and community members gathered in prayer. Father Michael Jensen, the parish priest, delivered an emotional homily remembering Sophia’s life and calling for healing in the wake of the tragedy. “We must hold onto faith, love, and one another,” he said. “Sophia’s life, though short, was filled with grace and joy. Let us carry her memory forward in how we love and care for each other.”
School officials are working closely with grief counselors and crisis response teams to provide support to students, staff, and families in the coming weeks. Teachers described Sophia as an enthusiastic student with a love for learning and a deep compassion for her classmates. Her desk, now adorned with flowers and notes, has become a place where students pause to remember her.
Local leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz, have extended condolences to Sophia’s family while reiterating calls for action to prevent such tragedies in the future. “No child should ever lose their life in a place of learning and worship,” Gov. Walz said in a statement. “Sophia’s passing is a devastating reminder of the urgent work ahead to keep our communities safe.”
The Forchas family has announced that a public memorial service will be held later this month, giving friends, neighbors, and community members the opportunity to celebrate Sophia’s life and honor her memory.
As Minneapolis continues to mourn, the community has rallied together in resilience, vowing that Sophia’s light will not be forgotten. Her name, now etched into the hearts of many, has become a symbol of innocence lost and a call for healing in a city determined to protect its children.
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