2 kids hurt in Annunciation shooting still hospitalized as others head home
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Two children are still hospitalized, with at least one in critical condition, as of Wednesday morning, a week after the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis that left two dead and 21 others injured.
Most other victims are stable and making progress on a physical recovery, according to social media posts and online fundraisers.
GoFundMe independently verified all fundraisers referenced in this article.
2 children still in the hospital
Fifth grader Weston Halsne, thought to be uninjured, was later found to have a bullet fragment lodged in his neck near a carotid artery, according to a GoFundMe organized by his aunt Allison Hawes. He had surgery to remove the fragment on Wednesday.
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“The procedure went well, and Weston is expected to make a full physical recovery,” Weston’s parents shared in a statement.
Of seven children admitted to Children’s Minnesota in Minneapolis following the shooting, the hospital reported one patient remained in their care as of Wednesday morning and declined to provide more details.
Minneapolis parent Leah Kaiser previously confirmed her daughter Lydia Kaiser is there “getting incredible care from the team at Children’s Hospital” and shared the family is “grateful Lydia is alive.”
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support an[d] grieving along with the entire community impacted by this event. Our hearts are especially hurting for our friends who have lost their beautiful children,” Kaiser told MPR News via text on Friday.
A GoFundMe for Lydia’s recovery shares she was seriously injured while protecting a younger child, her counterpart in Annunciation’s “buddy system.” Her father, a gym teacher at the school, was also at Mass during the shooting. He helped secure the room and keep other children safe “even while his daughter was entering the emergency room,” per the page.
Lydia's parents spoke to the media at Children's Minnesota on Wednesday after meeting Vice President JD Vance and shared more about her condition in a statement on Thursday.
“Lydia sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to the impact of a bullet during the Annunciation Church and School mass shooting. On August 27, she underwent brain surgery to remove bullet fragments and underwent a decompressive hemicraniectomy, a critical brain surgery to alleviate the swelling and reduce the pressure on her brain caused by her injury. Today, Lydia is making remarkable progress in her recovery. She will continue care at Children’s Minnesota,” Children's Minnesota shared on behalf of the Kaiser family.
Sophia Forchas, 12, remained hospitalized in critical condition as of Wednesday morning, according to a HCMC spokesperson.
Sophia was shot during the attack and has been “fighting for her life” in the aftermath, according to a GoFundMe published last week. “Her road ahead will be long, uncertain, and incredibly difficult — but she is strong, and she is not alone,” it reads.
Several kids released from the hospital
Hennepin Healthcare and Children’s Minnesota had reported caring for a total 17 victims last Wednesday following the shooting. Apart from Lydia and Sophia, the rest have since been discharged.
Genevieve Bisek, an 11 year old who was in critical condition after a gunshot to the neck, “is making steady progress and has been discharged from the hospital,” according to a GoFundMe update on Tuesday.
Also on Tuesday, family of David Haeg — who underwent surgery and was expected to remain in a pediatric intensive care unit for at least five days — shared the child is also home.
Victor Greenawalt, who Weston said protected him from bullets, was released from the hospital by Friday, according to an update on a GoFundMe for him. “We know that there is still a long road ahead of healing for our family and the community,” it said.
Endre Gunter, a 13 year old shot twice during Mass, returned home to recover as of Sunday.
“He is so happy to be back in a familiar space, surrounded by love, and beginning the next stage of his healing journey,” wrote his aunt Natalie Davis on GoFundMe. “His recovery — both physically and mentally — will take time, but his strength and spirit are truly inspiring. His parents, sister, and our entire family are taking it one day at a time and will continue to be by his side every step of the way.”
A GoFundMe for Vivian St. Clair, who was shot multiple times in her back and arm, reads “doctors have shared that Vivi has several bullet fragments in her small body that they do not intend to remove, meaning she may carry them with her for life.”
Updates were not readily available for the other injured children.
Adult couple also recovering
Among the injured were three adults in their 80s, all parishioners at Annunciation Church. One has yet to be identified.
Family members confirmed the other two were couple Ron and Sue Wilson.
In a CaringBridge post, Jennifer Harding said her father Ron Wilson has a minor laceration on his head and was recovering at home after receiving a couple stitches.
Sue Wilson was injured with “many pieces of shrapnel from her eye to her brain” during the shooting, but Harding writes a neurosurgeon was able to remove most pieces and there was no impact on her brain functionality. Wilson was released from the hospital to recover at home, according to a post on Tuesday.
