KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - Over a year after a shooting rampage in southwestern Michigan, a 15-year-old girl who survived being shot in the head is still recovering from the incident.
Abigail Kopf was the youngest survivor of the Feb. 20, 2016, shootings in Kalamazoo County that killed six people and wounded two others, The Battle Creek Enquirer (https://bcene.ws/2luBkSk ) reported.
The random shootings occurred at an apartment complex, a car dealership and outside a restaurant. Authorities have said they were carried out by an Uber driver in between rides picking up passengers. Jason Dalton faces six counts of murder.
Abigail Kopf’s father, Gene Kopf, told WWJ-TV (https://cbsloc.al/2luDzoL ) she has undergone two surgeries to replace the shattered part of her skull.
Gene Kopf said the family didn’t attend a memorial on the anniversary of the incident because Abigail recently had surgery, and the family wanted privacy.
Gene Kopf and his wife, Vicki, have been relatively open about her recovery. In addition to media interviews, the couple have a Facebook page that shares details of their daughter’s life.
Many of the comments are sending Abigail well wishes and encouraging her. The community has raised thousands of dollars for the Kopfs.
Gene Kopf said the family is thankful for the community’s support.
He said others have pressed for more details, as some journalists have shown up at their home uninvited.
Gene Kopf says it may be time to give his daughter, who didn’t ask for this attention, a chance to live as normal of a life as possible.
“She doesn’t need that limelight,” he said. “She needs privacy.”
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