Cooper Roberts: Highland Park shooting victim, 8, still EXTREMELY CRITICAL after 8th surgery
After undergoing his eighth surgery on Wednesday, Cooper Roberts was reportedly in "extremely critical" condition. The 8-year-old boy was injured in the Highland Park shooting that left him paralyzed from the waist down. The mass shooting during an Independence Day parade claimed the lives of seven people.
Cooper had a good post-surgery outlook, but as the day went on, Cooper's temperature came back. According to his family's spokesman, Anthony Loizzi, a CT scan indicated that fluid was accumulating in his esophagus, lungs, and currently around his pelvis. Cooper had breathing issues, so he was kept on a ventilator with a breathing tube.
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Nearly a week after the shooting, Cooper was taken off the ventilator and gained consciousness for the first time. However, physicians informed Cooper's family that the boy needed urgent surgery since the rupture in his esophagus had reopened. The surgery was termed "complex" and "lengthy".
The boy's condition degraded again, according to the Roberts family, as he battled a fresh infection and had a partially collapsed lung. "This is his seventh surgery and is of particularly high risk given his age and current condition," Loizzi said then. He added that the family appreciates all prayers for his recovery.
In a statement, Keely Roberts, Cooper's mother, said, "Please keep sending love and prayers to my son as he continues to fight as hard as he can."
The family congratulated Cooper's life-saving emergency personnel, as well as the police, fire department, and hospital professionals last Sunday and said that it was a "true miracle."
The youngster was shot in the belly, not the chest, contrary to what was previously thought, according to a statement made by medical staff at Highland Park Hospital.
On Sunday evening, Highland Park doctors said in a statement: "The bullet entered his upper abdomen, injuring the left lobe of his liver, his esophagus near the stomach, his abdominal aorta, and exited through his back injuring his spinal cord. At this point, his critical, life-threatening injuries had been addressed and he was stable enough to be transferred to the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital for continued care. "
After being struck directly by a gunshot that destroyed his spine, Cooper underwent early treatment at Corner Children's Hospital in Chicago. He later experienced a collapsed lung and was rushed to the hospital, where he was put on a ventilator.
Loizzi stated that the little boy is in pain, both physically and emotionally, especially after he got to know that he was paralyzed from the waist down. The Fourth of July parade was attended by Keely Roberts, the superintendent of Zion Elementary School District 6, and her husband, Jason Roberts, together with their twins, Cooper and Luke. Shrapnel struck Luke in the leg while Keely Roberts was shot in the foot and leg.
According to Loizzi, the mother should not have been discharged this quickly, but she insisted her doctors and nurses discharge her early or else "she'd walk out on her own because she needed to be with her son."
According to reports, Cooper is a sports-loving young man who supports the Milwaukee Brewers. The twins go to Highland Park's Braeside Elementary School.
Donations are being accepted on the family's GoFundMe website. The fundraiser reads as follows: "The friends of the Roberts family have created this fundraiser. Keely Roberts and her 8-year-old son, Cooper, were significantly impacted by the tragic events of this past Monday. Both were shot while attending the 4th of July parade in Highland Park. Cooper's spinal cord was severed. After undergoing many surgeries, he has been upgraded to serious condition. However, the doctors have determined that he will be paralyzed from the waist down. He has been in and out of consciousness, but he needs to be continuously sedated due to the severe pain. Cooper continues to fight as hard as he can. We know their medical bills will be significant, as will the treatments, therapy, and all of the equipment, devices and adaptations to their home. Please continue to keep the Roberts family in your thoughts and prayers. Any help you can provide is deeply appreciated."
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According to Loizzi, the family has asked for confidentiality during their trying times and for financial assistance to make sure Cooper receives the right care and counseling. "The family is very grateful for the outpouring of support and well-wishes and asks for continued prayers for Cooper’s healing," Loizzi said.