Annunciation shooting: Minneapolis police search-warrant updates victim count to 30
Minneapolis police court filings say the Aug. 27 Annunciation Church shooting now lists 30 victims, reporting two deaths and multiple gunshot and shrapnel injuries — including three adults and 26 juveniles among those shot — with some victims treated after initial triage or self‑transporting to hospitals. In the aftermath, critically injured survivors such as Sophia Forchas and 12‑year‑old Lydia Kaiser have been discharged and returned to school, Minnesota doctors who treated victims are urging a special legislative session to pursue bans on assault‑style weapons and high‑capacity magazines, and the accused, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, has been the subject of concurrent immigration and federal court proceedings including a recent order for his release from ICE custody.
📌 Key Facts
- Minneapolis police search-warrant information raised the total victim count from the Aug. 27 Annunciation Church shooting to 30: 2 killed, 29 sustained gunfire injuries and one suffered non-gunfire injuries; among those shot were 3 adults and 26 juveniles, and some additional shrapnel wounds were discovered after initial triage while some victims went to hospitals on their own.
- Sophia Forchas, who was shot in the head at the Aug. 27 shooting, underwent surgery that included removal of part of her skull and a medically induced coma; doctors had warned she could become a third fatality, but she was discharged roughly two months later able to walk and talk, greeted by community supporters and preparing to return to school.
- Twelve-year-old Lydia Kaiser returned to school (reported via a Sept. 30 GoFundMe update) after surgery that removed a piece of her skull and will need ongoing care; the Uvalde Foundation for Kids said it will award her its National Student Heroism Award.
- The Minnesota Medical Association organized doctors — including clinicians who treated Annunciation victims — to demand a special legislative session on gun policy, calling for statewide bans on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, a statewide safe-storage requirement, and removal of the state prohibition that blocks localities from enacting stricter gun rules.
- Archbishop Bernard Hebda hand-delivered cards made by Annunciation students to Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican; the archbishop said the pope promised his prayers for the families and the archdiocese, and Auxiliary Bishop Kevin Kenney personally gave the pope the parish's 100th-anniversary button.
- Federal proceedings connected to suspect Kilmar Abrego Garcia included rescheduled hearings on motions to dismiss smuggling charges and to suppress evidence (set for Dec. 8–9, 2025 in Nashville); Judge Waverly Crenshaw indicated there was “some evidence” the prosecution may have been vindictive and cited concerning public statements by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
- Immigration-custody developments: U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered Abrego Garcia’s immediate release from ICE custody on Dec. 11, 2025 and required ICE to notify his attorney and update the court; Pretrial Services was to coordinate release conditions and all parties were ordered to file a joint status report by Dec. 18 — the Trump administration is disputing the release and seeking to keep him detained, but Abrego Garcia was subsequently released and ordered to check in with immigration officials roughly 14 hours later.
- Context on removal efforts and detention: the government had signaled plans to remove Abrego Garcia to a third country (latest proposed: Liberia; earlier notices listed Uganda, Eswatini and Ghana) while Costa Rica was reported as not an option; an existing injunction had blocked immediate removal and courts found aspects of his re‑detention lacked lawful authority.
📊 Relevant Data
10 to 30 percent of mass shootings or active shooter events involved assault weapons.
The Effects of Bans on the Sale of Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Magazines — RAND Corporation
40 to 60 percent of mass shootings or active shooter events involved high-capacity magazines.
The Effects of Bans on the Sale of Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Magazines — RAND Corporation
Mass shooting incidents involving an assault weapon, high-capacity magazine, or both resulted in nearly five times the number of people shot compared to incidents without them.
The Effects of Bans on the Sale of Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Magazines — RAND Corporation
Black Americans constitute 17% of mass shooting perpetrators while comprising approximately 14% of the US population.
Mass shootings by shooter's race U.S. 2025 — Statista
Latino Americans constitute approximately 8% of mass shooting perpetrators while comprising 19% of the US population.
Mass shootings by shooter's race U.S. 2025 — Statista
The homicide victimization rate for Black males aged 15-24 is 74.6 per 100,000, compared to the national rate of 6.1 per 100,000.
Homicide Rates Across County, Race, Ethnicity, Age, and Sex in the US — JAMA Network Open
Studies found that undocumented immigrants in Texas commit homicide at significantly lower rates than U.S.-born individuals.
No evidence 4000 people are killed yearly by undocumented immigrants — Reuters
Minnesota's foreign-born population grew from 428,000 in 2014 to 524,000 in 2024.
How many immigrants are in Minnesota? — USAFacts
📰 Sources (14)
Abrego Garcia won release from detention. He must check in with immigration officials 14 hours later
New information:
- Kilmar Abrego Garcia was released from immigration detention.
- He was ordered to check in with immigration officials roughly 14 hours after his release.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia heading back to Maryland after judge orders his release from ICE custody
New information:
- A federal judge in Maryland (Judge Paula Xinis) ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s immediate release from ICE custody on Thursday.
- The order requires ICE to notify Abrego Garcia’s attorney before release and to update the court on his release status by 5 p.m. Thursday.
- Pretrial Services is to coordinate with defense counsel on release conditions.
- All parties must file a joint status report by December 18.
- Context noted that ICE had signaled plans to remove him to a third country; the court found his re‑detention lacked lawful authority.
Trump administration disputes court order for release of Abrego Garcia from ICE custody
New information:
- The Trump administration is disputing an immigration judge’s order directing the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from ICE custody.
- The challenge seeks to keep Abrego Garcia detained despite the prior release order.
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be immediately released from immigration detention
New information:
- An immigration judge ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be immediately released from immigration detention on Dec. 11, 2025.
- This marks a significant change in Garcia’s immigration custody status following earlier reporting that he faced federal and immigration proceedings connected to the Annunciation Church mass shooting aftermath.
Judge to rule on whether to release Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration custody
New information:
- A federal judge in Maryland (Paula Xinis) said she will rule as soon as possible on whether to release Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration custody.
- Judge Xinis noted there is no final order of removal in the record and suggested he likely should not be detained without one.
- ICE official John Cantu testified DHS now proposes deporting Abrego Garcia to Liberia; earlier notices included Uganda, Eswatini and Ghana.
- The government has not pursued deportation to Costa Rica despite prior indications it could accept him; Cantu said Costa Rica is 'not an option at the moment' without explaining why.
- An existing injunction from Judge Xinis currently prevents his immediate removal; the government has moved to lift that injunction.
After mistaken deportation, Abrego Garcia fights smuggling charges. Here’s what to know
New information:
- Federal hearings on Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s motions to dismiss smuggling charges and suppress evidence are rescheduled to Dec. 8–9, 2025, before Judge Waverly Crenshaw in Nashville.
- Judge Crenshaw previously found “some evidence” the prosecution may be vindictive and cited statements by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche as cause for concern.
- The parties are disputing whether senior Justice Department officials, including Blanche, can be compelled to provide testimony or documents.
- A DHS agent testified he did not begin investigating the 2022 Tennessee traffic stop until after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the administration to work to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S.
- Details of the 2022 stop: nine passengers were in the vehicle; Abrego Garcia was let go with a warning after a calm exchange; officers discussed suspected smuggling.
A federal judge in Tennessee warns Trump officials over statements about Kilmar Abrego Garcia
New information:
- A federal judge in Tennessee warned Trump administration officials about their public statements regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
- The admonition was issued on Oct. 28, 2025, in Tennessee federal court.
- The warning pertains to statements about Abrego Garcia, the suspect linked to the Minneapolis Annunciation Church mass shooting.
Sophia Forchas leaves hospital two months after Annunciation shooting
New information:
- Victim Sophia Forchas has been discharged from the hospital roughly two months after the Aug. 27 Annunciation Church shooting.
- The article pinpoints the timing of her release (reported Oct. 23, 2025), marking a concrete recovery milestone.
Annunciation shooting survivor Sophia Forchas released from hospital after 'miraculous recovery'
New information:
- Annunciation shooting survivor Sophia Forchas was released from Hennepin County Medical Center on Thursday, nearly two months after being shot in the head on Aug. 27.
- Doctors had previously warned she could become the third fatality; she underwent surgery that included removal of part of her skull and was placed in a medically induced coma.
- Forchas was able to walk and talk with supporters at discharge and is returning to school; community members greeted her with banners outside HCMC.
Annunciation shooting: Victim count rises to 30
New information:
- Minneapolis police search warrant states total victim count is now 30 for the Aug. 27 shooting.
- Of the 30 victims, 2 were killed and 29 sustained injuries from gunfire; one additional victim had non-gunfire injuries.
- Breakdown: 3 adults and 26 juveniles were injured by gunfire; some additional shrapnel wounds were discovered after initial triage and some victims went to hospitals on their own.
Annunciation shooting: Students' acts of kindness reach Pope Leo XIV
New information:
- Archbishop Bernard Hebda hand-delivered cards made by Annunciation students to Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
- Archbishop Hebda said the Pope promised his prayers for the families and the Archdiocese in a released statement.
- Auxiliary Bishop Kevin Kenney reported personally giving the Pope a 100th-Annunciation-anniversary button and provided on-air comments about the meeting.
Annunciation shooting: Doctors in Minnesota call for gun ban, special session
New information:
- Minnesota Medical Association organized doctors — including clinicians who treated Annunciation victims — to demand a special legislative session on gun policy.
- Doctors laid out specific policy asks: statewide bans on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines; a statewide safe-storage requirement; and removal of the state prohibition that blocks localities from enacting stricter gun rules.
- Named quotes from Dr. Trish Vilsic and Dr. Lisa Matson describing the clinical harms seen and converting medical testimony into a public policy demand.
Annunciation mass shooting: Lydia Kaiser returns to school after attack
New information:
- 12-year-old Lydia Kaiser has returned to school as of a Sept. 30 GoFundMe update reported Oct. 1, 2025.
- Medical detail: Kaiser underwent surgery that removed a piece of her skull to allow her brain to swell and will need ongoing care.
- Uvalde Foundation for Kids announced it will award Kaiser its National Student Heroism Award (statement from founder Daniel Chapin).