Cooper Roberts, young boy left paralyzed in Highland Park shooting, released from PICU, family says – NBC Chicago

An 8-year-old boy who was left paralyzed after the July 4 parade shooting in suburban Highland Park was released from the pediatric intensive care unit at Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago on Monday, his family said in a statement. hurry.

According to the family, Cooper Roberts was released from Comer on Monday, nearly a month after he was shot multiple times during the July 4 parade in Highland Park.

Roberts was able to visit his dog George for the first time since Monday’s shooting, with photos showing him cuddling the dog in an emotional reunion.

The family says Roberts, who was paralyzed by the shooting, will be transferred to the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, where he will begin a lengthy rehabilitation process.

“The family continues to feel all the prayers sent to them, and are grateful and humbled by the outpouring of support as they begin to process what will be necessary for Cooper when he can finally return home,” said family. said in a statement.

According to the family, a series of assessments will be conducted this week to determine the next steps in his recovery, allowing Roberts “to reach his maximum potential moving forward.”

More than $1.7 million has been raised for Roberts’ recovery through a GoFundMe page, according to the family.

Roberts was shot in the abdomen, the bullet severing his spinal cord. His twin brother Luke was injured by shrapnel and his mother was shot in the leg in the mass shooting which left seven people dead and dozens injured.