Kalamazoo shooting victim presumed dead fighting for life
TEXAS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) – The family of a teenager first presumed dead after being shot during the rampage in and around Kalamazoo is breaking their silence.
The family previously asked that the 14-year-old girl not be identified, but rescinded that request Monday evening when addressing the media. Her name is Abigail Kopf.
Abigail is in critical condition at a Kalamazoo hospital.
“Abigail, her parents and our team continue to fight hard for her life,” Dr. Aaron Lane-Davies said. “In spite of the seriousness of her injuries, we are encouraged by her relative stability over the past couple of days and her responsiveness to her parents and our team.”
Family members said earlier Monday that her prognosis was uncertain. Vicki Kopf fought back tears Monday evening as the doctor described her daughter’s condition.
“My daughter is not dead. She’s alive and she is fighting for her life,” Vicki Kopf said. “She’s showing some progress.”
Abigail still “has a long road ahead,” said her father, Gene Kopf, but is “strong-willed and fighting.”
Abigail was shot outside the Texas Township Cracker Barrel, the last of three shootings that made up Saturday’s spree.
She had joined four women for dinner at the Cracker Barrel, then went to see a show at Miller Auditorium. The group had returned to the restaurant to pick up a car when they were shot while sitting in their vehicles just before 10:30 p.m.
All four women, 60-year-old Mary Jo Nye of Battle Creek, her 62-year-old sister-in-law Mary Lou Nye of Baroda, 68-year-old Barbara Hawthorne of Battle Creek and 74-year-old Dorothy Brown of Battle Creek were killed.
Abigail was rushed to the hospital. Her heart stopped beating once there, Dr. Lane-Davies said Monday, but doctors were able to restart it.
“Due to both the nature of her injuries and the efforts required to sustain her life, our team discussed the possibility that she could become brain dead,” Lane-Davies said. “At the request and with the permission of Abigail’s parents, our team contacted Gift of Life to begin the process that ensures the dignity and safety of the injured person. The active organ donation after a tragedy like this one can only occur after a person has died. Determining brain death requires a series of physical exams, sometimes in conjunction with other testing, over the course of multiple hours. This series of exams has not begun due to Abigail’s medical condition. Abigail was not declared medically brain dead. She has undergone a surgical procedure to address her injuries and remains on the ventilator and critically ill.”
At one point, Abigail squeezed her mother’s hand.
“Breathtaking,” Vicki Kopf described that moment. “A miracle on its own.”
Rich Smith and his 17-year-old son, Tyler were shot and killed at a Kalamazoo vehicle dealership about 15 minutes before the Cracker Barrel shooting. Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley told 24 Hour News 8 Monday Tyler’s girlfriend hid from the gunman and survived.
The shootings started around 5:45 p.m. Saturday when Tiana Carruthers was shot several times outside Meadows Townhomes. The Kalamazoo County prosecutor said Monday she is recovering.