Cooper Roberts, 8, was shot in the mass shooting during the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois. Photo: The Roberts Family
Cooper Roberts, 8, was shot in the mass shooting during the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois. Photo: The Roberts Family
Cooper Roberts, 8, was shot in the mass shooting during the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois. Photo: The Roberts Family
Cooper Roberts, 8, was shot in the mass shooting during the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois. Photo: The Roberts Family

World

US

Highland Park shooting survivor Cooper Roberts, 8, in 'constant pain'

Child was left partly paralysed after gunman fired on parade watchers on July 4

Kyle Fitzgerald
Kyle Fitzgerald
Washington

August 17, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Cooper Roberts, 8, who was left partially paralysed during the July 4 shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, is in “constant pain” as he continues a “very long and hard road” to recovery, his family said.

Seven people were killed in the Chicago suburb after a gunman fired on a crowd enjoying the Independence Day parade.

Cooper, who was shot in the back, was one of dozens left injured.

His family has provided regular updates on his condition in the weeks after the attack, hoping to document the challenges of the long recovery process and the child's new reality.

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“There are layers upon layers of cruelty with being shot by a sniper," his family said on their fund-raising page.

"Most people don’t witness the gruelling aftermath of surviving these devastating wounds, physical and emotional."

Cooper has undergone several operations since being shot and was transferred to a rehabilitation centre this month.

But he is in “constant pain” from internal damage, and remains on an IV drip and heavy painkillers, his family said.

“He is starting to recognise the severity of his limitations,” they said.

US Senator Richard Durbin sits at a hearing in Washington in front of a picture of Cooper Roberts, right, and Aiden McCarthy, 2, who lost both his parents in the Highland Park shooting. AFP
US Senator Richard Durbin sits at a hearing in Washington in front of a picture of Cooper Roberts, right, and Aiden McCarthy, 2, who lost both his parents in the Highland Park shooting. AFP

The family said it had been about 43 days since Cooper was home.

He desperately misses his twin brother, his dog and his friends, and can only see his whole family once a week because of Covid-19 protocols.

“It is very hard to convince Cooper that he will be happy again," the family said.

"Of course, we are beyond grateful for his survival, and we know others weren’t as fortunate, but we want people to know his path and our path will be a very long and hard road.

“He’s an eight-year-old boy who feels hopeless, sad and angry as the reality of his life is setting in.”

The accused gunman has pleaded not guilty to 117 charges connected to the attack.

Law enforcement officers continue their investigation at the scene of a mass shooting at a July 4 celebration and parade in Highland Park, Illinois. EPA
Law enforcement officers continue their investigation at the scene of a mass shooting at a July 4 celebration and parade in Highland Park, Illinois. EPA
An aerial photo made with a drone shows US police investigating the scene of the mass shooting. EPA
An aerial photo made with a drone shows US police investigating the scene of the mass shooting. EPA
US police inspect chairs and belongings left behind at the scene. AFP
US police inspect chairs and belongings left behind at the scene. AFP
Belongings lie abandoned along the parade route. Reuters
Belongings lie abandoned along the parade route. Reuters
The gunman, identified as Robert Crimo, opened fire as people gathered to watch the July 4 parade. EPA
The gunman, identified as Robert Crimo, opened fire as people gathered to watch the July 4 parade. EPA
A man collects chairs that were abandoned by people fleeing the scene. EPA
A man collects chairs that were abandoned by people fleeing the scene. EPA
Flowers line the sidewalk near the scene of the mass shooting. EPA
Flowers line the sidewalk near the scene of the mass shooting. EPA
US police continue their investigation into the shooting. EPA
US police continue their investigation into the shooting. EPA
A couple retrieve two car seats near the parade route. Chicago Tribune / AP
A couple retrieve two car seats near the parade route. Chicago Tribune / AP
A community member organises abandoned belongings. Reuters
A community member organises abandoned belongings. Reuters
Members of the FBI's evidence response team walk the scene one day after the mass shooting. AP
Members of the FBI's evidence response team walk the scene one day after the mass shooting. AP
A US flag and a chair lie abandoned along the parade route. Reuters
A US flag and a chair lie abandoned along the parade route. Reuters
Spray paint on the ground marks evidence along the parade route. Reuters
Spray paint on the ground marks evidence along the parade route. Reuters
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