Highland Park Fourth of July Parade Shooting Anniversary: ​​Cooper Roberts Update

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — For survivors of the Highland Park Parade mass shooting, the Fourth of July has taken on new meaning. It’s now a painful reminder of a day that changed their lives forever.

Seven people were killed and dozens injured in the 2022 attack.

Keely Roberts and her son Cooper were shot and wounded during the parade. Both survived. Keely Roberts was shot in the leg while Cooper was left paralyzed from the waist down. He was 8 years old at the time of the attack.

On Wednesday, the Roberts family spoke to the media and provided an update on his health.

“This is the 730th anniversary of the total annihilation of our lives,” she said. “That horrible day will forever be remembered, especially in Cooper's life, which has broken it beyond repair.”

Cooper just turned 10. His mother says he has remained an active child and has discovered new sports like sled hockey. She says he enjoys being part of a team again.

Keely Roberts says that as positive as Cooper is now that he's getting older, he's starting to really understand the complete transformation in his life.

Last week, alleged shooter Robert Crimo III waived his guilty plea. Keely Roberts was among the survivors who were scheduled to give a victim impact statement in court. She called what happened cruel.

“There’s nothing restorative or healing about justice being delayed,” she said. “Especially when justice is delayed in a way that seems cruel. I respect the process. I understand that the legal system operates under a very specific structure and a set of rules and operational guidelines, but respecting that balance doesn’t change the fact that it’s painful.”

She said she plans to make a statement about the impact of the incident when the time comes. She added that for now, her family is focused on helping each other as the dark anniversary approaches. She added that the overwhelming support from her community has shown her that goodwill always triumphs over evil.

The Roberts family started a GoFundMe to make their home wheelchair accessible for their son and for his major medical needs and expenses.