(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Thursday marks two years since the Highland Park Fourth of July parade shooting, and the mother of the youngest victims is using it to reflect on the past, while also being grateful for the future.
“That family who walked to the parade that awful day, they’re gone. They no longer exist,” Keely Roberts said.
She was one of several people shot and wounded at Highland Park’s 2022 Independence Day parade. Her twin sons, Cooper and Luke, were also hit by gun shots, leaving Cooper paralyzed from the waist down.
“It’s been 730 days since Cooper could walk. 730 days since he was able to run and chase his brother in the backyard, climb playground equipment, play on his soccer team, run bases at the park or jump on his bed,” Keely said.
She is also reflecting on the recent court hearing, in which the alleged gunman rejected a plea deal, which paved the way for a February trial.
“I have come to believe that there’s not really going to be closure on this for us. The wound is too deep. But what there is going to be is justice.”
The Roberts family plans to spend the holiday in Wisconsin, where Keely says despite the darkness, therapy, Cooper’s involvement in wheelchair sports and support from the community has given them plenty to be thankful for.
“This is a love story. This is not a horror story, it’s not a scary story. The story of what has happened to us is a love story and it’s going to be a comeback story.”
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