Jordan Ellis
The mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 27 August 2025, resulted in the deaths of two children and left 15 to 18 others injured. The victims were aged between 6 and 15 years old, with three adults in their 80s also wounded. As of 4 September 2025, Sophia Forchas, a 12-year-old student, remains in critical condition at Hennepin County Medical Center, while Lydia Kaiser is recovering from her injuries at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the shooting | 27 August 2025 |
| Location of the shooting | Annunciation Catholic Church and School, Minneapolis |
| Number of children killed | 2 |
| Names of children killed | Fletcher Merkel, Harper Moyski |
| Number of people injured | 18 |
| Number of hospitalized | 13 |
| Names of hospitalized children | Sophia Forchas, Lydia Kaiser |
| Age of Sophia Forchas | 12 |
| Hospital where Sophia Forchas is admitted | Hennepin County Medical Center |
| Condition of Sophia Forchas | Critical |
| Hospital where Lydia Kaiser is admitted | Children's Hospital in Minneapolis |
| Condition of Lydia Kaiser | Recovering from injuries |
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What You'll Learn
- Sophia Forchas, aged 12, is in critical condition
- Lydia Kaiser is recovering from injuries at Children's Hospital, Minneapolis
- victims injured, 2 killed in the Minneapolis Catholic school attack
- Suspect Robin Westman found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound
- GoFundMe campaigns have collected over $3 million for victims and families
Sophia Forchas, aged 12, is in critical condition
Sophia is currently being treated at Hennepin County Medical Center in downtown Minneapolis, where her mother works as a pediatric critical care nurse. The family has asked for prayers from the community as Sophia continues to recover. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minneapolis) shared a statement from the Forchas family on social media, highlighting the critical nature of Sophia's condition and the importance of the coming days for her future quality of life.
Sophia's younger brother was also at Annunciation during the shooting but was unharmed. The Forchas family has been an integral part of the St. Mary Greek Orthodox Church community in Minneapolis for generations, with Sophia actively participating in the church's Greek dancing troupe. The shooting has left the community devastated, and support has poured in from various quarters.
The quick response of the first police officers on the scene and the dedicated work of hospital staff are credited with saving lives. GoFundMe campaigns and other fundraising efforts have collectively raised over $4 million to support the victims and their families. The community has also come together to organize vigils and offer comfort to those affected by this tragic event.
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Lydia Kaiser is recovering from injuries at Children's Hospital, Minneapolis
Lydia Kaiser, a 12-year-old student at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, was one of 21 people injured in the mass shooting at the school and church on 27 August 2025. Lydia suffered a traumatic brain injury and was hospitalised at Children's Hospital, Minneapolis. She was injured while protecting a younger student, and possibly their teacher, from gunfire.
Lydia underwent at least two brain surgeries during her hospitalisation. The first was to remove bullet fragments from her brain, and the second was a decompressive hemicraniectomy to alleviate swelling and reduce pressure on her brain. In this second procedure, a section of her skull was removed to allow for brain swelling.
Lydia was discharged from Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, on 7 September 2025, after more than a week of hospitalisation. At the time of her release, her family shared that she was "walking, she is talking, she is fighting and she is ever so brave". However, her recovery journey is not over, as she will need to undergo another surgery to replace the portion of her skull that was removed to accommodate brain swelling.
Lydia's bravery and selflessness in the face of danger have been widely recognised. She received the National Student Heroism Award from the Texas-based Uvalde Foundation For Kids, a nonprofit formed after the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas. In addition, an award presentation ceremony to honour Lydia will be planned by the foundation "in the near future".
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17 victims injured, 2 killed in the Minneapolis Catholic school attack
On Wednesday, a mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, left two children dead and 17 others injured. The victims were attending Mass at the time of the attack.
The two children who lost their lives have been identified as Harper Moyski, 10, and Fletcher Merkel, 8. Moyski's family described her as a ""bright, joyful, and deeply loved" girl, and Merkel's father said his son loved "any sport that he was allowed to play".
Among those injured, several were hospitalized, including two children who remained in the hospital as of September 4: 12-year-old Sophia Forchas and Lydia Kaiser. Forchas was in critical condition and had to undergo a procedure to remove one side of her skull to reduce swelling. Kaiser was recovering from her injuries at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.
The shooting suspect, Robin Westman, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Westman had a history of idolizing Hitler, obsessing over mass killings, and giving Nazi salutes. Authorities believe Westman fired 116 rounds during the attack and had a large arsenal of weapons, including assault rifles and handguns.
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Suspect Robin Westman found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound
Robin Westman, the 23-year-old suspect in the Minneapolis school shooting, was found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara. Westman, who had a history of obsession with killing children and admiration for mass murderers, opened fire outside the Annunciation Catholic Church and School on August 27, 2025, killing two children and injuring 18 others.
Westman, whose name was legally changed from Robert to Robin in 2020 to reflect a female identification, had attended the school and had a connection to the church, as their mother, Mary Grace Westman, previously worked there. Authorities have not been able to reach Westman's mother, who has not responded to their attempts to contact her.
The shooting resulted in the tragic deaths of 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. Several other children were injured, including Sophia Forchas and Lydia Kaiser, who were hospitalized and underwent surgeries for their injuries.
The attack has left the community in shock and grief, with neighbors expressing their disbelief that such an incident could occur in their quiet neighborhood. The investigation into Westman's motives is ongoing, with authorities examining online posts and videos believed to be associated with the suspect. The tragedy has once again sparked conversations about gun control and the need for stricter legislation to prevent such horrific acts from occurring in the future.
As the community struggles to come to terms with the tragedy, prayers and support are pouring in for the victims and their families, with GoFundMe campaigns and other funds raising significant amounts to support those affected by this senseless act of violence.
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GoFundMe campaigns have collected over $3 million for victims and families
In the aftermath of the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School, the community has rallied together to support the victims and their families. GoFundMe campaigns have been at the forefront of these efforts, with over $3 million raised as of September 5, 2025, just a week after the shooting. This remarkable sum has been collected through the generosity of donors from across the globe, with the funds going directly to supporting those impacted by this horrific event.
At the time of writing, there were 15 verified GoFundMe campaigns dedicated to supporting individual victims and their families. One notable campaign, created by Dillon White, a Minneapolis resident known as "dadchats" on social media, has amassed an impressive $500,000 in donations. The funds raised will undoubtedly help alleviate the financial burden on the affected families, enabling them to focus on their recovery and healing.
The shooting, which occurred on August 27, 2025, during a Wednesday morning mass at the church, resulted in the tragic deaths of two children: 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. It also left 18 children and three adults injured, with a total of 12 victims still hospitalized as of September 4.
Among those still hospitalized is 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, who remains in critical condition at Hennepin County Medical Center. Sophia, a seventh grader at Annunciation, underwent a life-saving procedure where one side of her skull was removed to reduce swelling. Her family has shared updates on her GoFundMe page, with the community rallying together to pray for her recovery.
Another hospitalized victim, 12-year-old Lydia Kaiser, is recovering from her injuries at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. Lydia received a visit from Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance, demonstrating the support and attention that this tragedy has garnered.
The outpouring of support through GoFundMe campaigns, alongside other funds like the Annunciation Hope and Healing Fund, reflects the community's resilience and compassion in the face of unimaginable tragedy. These funds will provide crucial support for the victims' medical expenses, counseling, and other needs as they navigate the long road to recovery.
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Frequently asked questions
As of September 4, 2025, 12-year-old Sophia Forchas is still hospitalized in critical condition at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. She had to have one side of her skull removed to reduce swelling. Lydia Kaiser is another child recovering from her injuries at Children's Hospital in the same city. Nine patients are still being treated at HCMC and three others remain at Children's Minnesota.
Sophia Forchas is in critical condition. It is unclear what the condition is of the other patients, though it has been reported that none of the patients have been discharged and there have been no fatalities.
The shooting took place at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 27, 2025. 18 people were injured and two children, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, were killed. The shooter, Robin Westman, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
