Cooper Roberts: Highland Park shooting survivor, 8, finally off ventilator after suffering spinal cord injury
Cooper Roberts, an 8-year-old Highland Park shooting survivor, is currently breathing on his own after being taken off a ventilator, indicating "hopeful" improvement, according to his family. Roberts was paralyzed as a result of a bullet entering his upper abdomen during the shooting during the Independence Day parade, according to a statement shared by his family members and posted on their GoFundMe website from the hospital on July 10. The shooting that happened in the north of Chicago left seven people dead and dozens injured, wounding Roberts' liver, esophagus, abdominal aorta, and spinal cord.
Another statement from Roberts' family was posted on his GoFundMe website on July 18, "We have some very hopeful news about Cooper. There has been improvement over the weekend! Cooper is still in the PICU and considered in critical condition, but the family is hopeful he will be moved out of the PICU later this week. He has been fever-free for 48 hours. He is no longer on the ventilator, and is breathing on his own."
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Roberts "sat up, with assistance, and took a brief first ride in a wheelchair over the weekend," the family spokesperson continued, adding that "sadly, something he will need to get used to. It was very difficult and emotional for him and his family."
This is Cooper Roberts. He is 8 years old, loves playing baseball and soccer, and was one of the 46 people injured during the Highland Park shooting. His twin brother Luke and mom Keely were also injured. But Cooper was hurt the worst—and he may never walk again. pic.twitter.com/uWhvwa88aK
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) July 11, 2022
The family spokesperson wrote, "The family continues to be very grateful for and humbled by the outpouring of support and well-wishes and asks for continued prayers for Cooper’s healing. Due to the costs associated with the long-term care that Cooper will need, we have increased the goal with the hope of raising additional funds for the Roberts family."
By July 19, donations to the GoFundMe named "The Cooper Roberts Family Fundraiser" had surpassed $1.6 million. When the shooting left the 8-year-old with "critical, life-threatening injuries," he had to go through expensive and invasive surgery.
An 8-year-old boy who was shot in the chest during the Highland Park parade shooting may never walk again.
— Nina Mckinney (@NinaMckinney18) July 20, 2022
8-year-old shot at Highland Park parade may not walk again, family says
Baseball-loving Cooper Roberts was with his family when he was shot in the chest. He suffered sign... pic.twitter.com/aP6T2j6SWN
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When Cooper initially became conscious in the hospital, according to WMAQ-TV, he reportedly inquired about his twin brother Luke, 8, who was wounded and harmed by shrapnel during the shooting during the parade. The mother of the twins and superintendent of Zion Elementary School District 6, Keely Roberts was shot twice in the leg and required many surgeries, according to the outlet. She was later discharged from the hospital.
Among the victims who have been deceased are Jacki Sundheim, 63; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; Irina McCarthy, 35; Kevin McCarthy, 37; Katherine Goldstein, 64; Stephen Straus, 88; and Edwardo Uvaldo, 69. The alleged 22-year-old shooter Robert Crimo was taken into custody and is now facing seven counts of murder.