Boy Paralyzed in Highland Park Shooting Faces Devastating New Setback
Cooper Roberts, the 8-year-old boy who initially showed signs of improvement after his spinal cord was severed by a bullet at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade, now needs an “urgent, complex and lengthy surgery” after his condition deteriorated Tuesday, his family said.
Roberts became paralyzed below the waist when he was shot in the back. Police allege deranged gunman Robert “Bobby” Crimo, 21, killed seven with a sniper rifle at the parade and injured dozens, including Roberts, his brother and his mom.
The boy, who has a twin brother, had his status briefly upgraded to “serious” condition over the weekend when he was taken off a ventilator and briefly regained his ability to speak.