Home / Disasters and Accidents / Miracle on Worst Day: Trauma Team Saves 11 Victims
Miracle on Worst Day: Trauma Team Saves 11 Victims
28 Aug
Summary
- HCMC staff prepared for mass shooting victims in under 15 minutes.
- Eleven victims, including nine children, received care after church shooting.
- All 11 victims, even critically injured, were discharged from the hospital.
In a testament to rapid response and skilled care, emergency medical staff at HCMC in Minneapolis prepared for a mass casualty event in less than 15 minutes. The incident stemmed from a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church, which resulted in 11 victims requiring immediate medical attention. Two doctors were dispatched to the scene while the hospital's emergency department set up a stabilization room.
Dr. Thomas E. Wyatt, chair of emergency medicine at HCMC, stated that the team received notification of the mass casualty event at 8:46 a.m., allowing for resource mobilization. The victims comprised two adults and nine children, all suffering from penetrating trauma. Wyatt expressed pride in his team's ability to quickly mobilize resources and stabilize patients.
Remarkably, all 11 victims, including the critically injured Sophia Forchas, were able to return home. Dr. Wyatt described this outcome as a combination of skill, care, and perhaps a miracle, emphasizing the team's dedication on what was the "worst day" for many patients. Responders later gathered at U.S. Bank Stadium to debrief and share experiences. Hennepin Healthcare is providing mental health support for its staff in the aftermath of the event.
