NEWS

Abigail Kopf opens her eyes, recognizes parents

Jennifer Bowman
Battle Creek Enquirer
Abigail Kopf

UPDATE, 8:15 am. Wednesday: Abigail has opened her eyes in front of her parents, according to the GoFundMe page. "She looked at us tonight. Her right eye is too swollen yet, but she managed to open her eyes and recognized us," the update said. "Your love and incredible outpouring of support keeps us going."

The youngest survivor of the Kalamazoo shootings last month is now listed in fair condition, Bronson Methodist Hospital said Tuesday.

RELATED:First interview with Abigail Kopf's parents: 'She was not ready to go yet'

Abigail Kopf, a 14-year-old seventh-grader at Harper Creek Middle School, was shot once in the head on Feb. 20. She had been upgraded to serious condition from critical just two days earlier, when a breathing tube and ventilator were removed.

On Tuesday, the family-approved GoFundMe page for Abigail — which had raised more than $30,000 as of Tuesday afternoon — said in an update she was fighting "and winning."

"Please continue to hold this amazing girl through her climb and help us bring her home," the update said.

Abigail Kopf breathing on her own

Also Tuesday, the GoFundMe page said Abigail may be moved next week to Grand Rapids for rehabilitation. It asked for a donated or loaned car to help her parents travel there from Battle Creek daily -- about a 70-mile ride each way, according to the update.

"Let us help them get to their little girl!!!" The update said. "The comfort of Mom and Dad by her side no doubt has given this fighter strength for her battle. Please help us go one step further and get them farther towards Abbie's full recovery."

The GoFund me page can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/exqv3qyc.

Abigail was one of eight people shot in a series of random shootings in Kalamazoo County. Six people died and two others, including Abigail, were injured.

Parents of Abigail Kopf: 'She did not deserve this'

A 45-year-old man, Jason Dalton of Kalamazoo, was arrested and is charged with six counts of open murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder and eight counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Police said he opened fire at an apartment complex, car dealership and a restaurant parking lot.

Abigail was returning to a car at the Cracker Barrel restaurant after seeing a show at Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium when she was shot. The four other women with her — Barbara Hawthorne, 68; Mary Jo Nye, 60; Judy Brown, 74, all of Battle Creek; and Mary Nye, 62, of Baroda — were killed.

Mattawan residents Richard Smith, 53, and his 17-year-old son, Tyler, also were killed. Tiana Carruthers, 25, was shot multiple times but survived; she remains hospitalized but is in fair condition, Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller told the Kalamazoo Gazette.

During a Feb. 22 press conference, Abigail's parents, Gene and Vicki Kopf, told news media that Abigail often attended shows with Hawthorne, who was a grandmother figure despite no blood relation. The other women also were family friends, they said.

The American Hospital Association defines fair condition as vital signs being stable and within normal limits. The patient "is conscious, but may be uncomfortable," and "indicators are favorable."

Patients listed in serious condition may have unstable vital signs that are not within normal limits, and is "acutely ill" with questionable indicators.

Patients in critical condition have unstable vital signs that are not within normal limits, and may be unconscious. Their indicators are unfavorable, according to the hospital association.

Contact Jennifer Bowman at 269-966-0589 or jbowman@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow her on Twitter: @jenn_bowman