HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — For survivors of the Highland Park Parade mass shooting the Fourth of July takes new meaning. Its now a painful reminder of a day that changed their lives forever.
Seven people were killed and dozens more were wounded in the 2022 attack.
Keely Roberts and her son Cooper were shot in 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 gave an update on how they are doing.
“It is the 730th anniversary of the total annihilation of our lives,”she said. “That horrific day lives on forever, especially in Cooper’s life, which irrevocably shattered.”
Cooper just turned 10 years old. His mother says he has remained an active child and has found love in new sports like sled hockey. She said he enjoys being part of a team again.
Keely Roberts says as positive as Cooper is now that he’s getting older, he’s starting to truly understand the complete transformation of his life.
Last week the accused shooter Robert Crimo III backed out of a plea deal. Keely Roberts was among the survivors set to make a victim impact statement in court. She calls what happened a cruel move.
“There’s nothing healing or restorative about justice delayed,” she said. “Especially justice delayed in a way that feels cruel. I respect the process. I understand the legal system operates in a very specific structure and set of rules and operational guidelines but the balance of respecting that doesn’t change the fact that it’s hurtful.”
She said she plans to make a victim impact statement when the time comes. She says for now her family is focusing on leaning on each other as the somber anniversary approaches. She says the overwhelming support from her community has shown her good will always outweighs evil.
The Roberts family has a GoFundMe to make their home wheelchair accessible for their son and for his major medical needs and expenses.