Cooper Roberts, the 8-year-old boy who was left paralyzed after being shot in the Highland Park Fourth of July parade mass shooting, now needs further, complex surgery, as his condition has worsened.
The boy, whose spinal cord was severed by a bullet, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down, is again back in critical condition at the University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital after having shown some improvement Friday, according to his family.
“Cooper’s esophagus has reopened,” his family said in a written update Tuesday. “As a result, he is facing an urgent, complex and lengthy surgery today to again attempt to repair his torn esophagus. This is his seventh surgery and is of particularly high risk given his age and current condition.”
One of Cooper’s lungs is partially collapsed, according to the family, and he also has been experiencing an elevated heart rate and spiking fever due to a new infection. Those conditions are being treated with medication.
The family has set up a GoFundMe to help with Cooper’s medical bills. As of Tuesday, almost $1.4 million has been raised.
Cooper’s twin brother Luke was treated and released from a hospital for leg wounds from shrapnel. Their mother Keely Roberts required surgeries after she suffered foot and leg wounds.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire & Chicago Sun-Times 2022. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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