Mother of boy paralyzed after Highland Park shooting reflects on second anniversary of shooting

The mother of Cooper Roberts, who was paralyzed in the Highland Park parade shooting, reflected on the second anniversary by calling the incident a “horribly evil event” that changed her family’s lives forever.

Keely Roberts, who is the mother of Luke and Cooper Roberts, said Wednesday that her family’s life was shattered forever on July 4, 2022.

Keely, Luke and Cooper were all injured in the shooting. Cooper, who was 8 at the time, was the most seriously injured and was left paralyzed.

Roberts said the second anniversary of the incident, which left seven dead and 48 injured, is actually the 730th anniversary of the “total annihilation of our lives.”

“It’s been 730 days since Cooper was able to walk. It’s been 730 days since he was able to run and chase his brother around the yard, climb on the playground equipment at the park or school, play on his soccer team, run the bases at the baseball stadium or jump on his bed, on the living room couches or play in a trampoline park,” Roberts said.

Roberts said she, along with dozens of other shooting victims, attended the court hearing last week for the accused shooter.

Robert E. Crimo III was scheduled to plead guilty to his charges but unexpectedly backed out of the plea deal at the last minute in court.

“What happened is rather another example of the revictimization of victims; the continued infliction of suffering on innocent people who continue to suffer in unthinkable ways,” Roberts said of the hearing.

“I almost didn’t go because it’s literally impossible to describe what it’s like to have a complete stranger try to kill you and your family. Our sweet little twins had their lives destroyed in the blink of an eye; one died on a sidewalk while the other was injured, bleeding out and traumatized beyond description, believing he had witnessed his twin brother being murdered and his mother bleeding out, all while gunshots and screaming,” she said.

The mother described her son Cooper, now 10, as a happy, kind and athletic little boy who is now paralyzed and whose rest of life will be “forever marked by the horrific decisions of the shooter and all those who directly or indirectly helped him enable this massacre.”

“I knew I wouldn’t be able to adequately explain the guilt and anguish you feel as a parent when you can’t protect your children from harm,” Roberts said.

Roberts said she and her family will not be participating in the Highland Park parade this year. “I honestly don’t know if my family will ever be able to attend another parade.”

Officials said they took a trauma-informed approach to planning Independence Day events in Highland Park, with guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice and community mental health clinicians who work in Highland Park.

A memorial service was held at Edgewood Middle School Thursday morning and included remarks from Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering and faith leaders.

An Independence Day parade then began at 1 p.m. with a new route through downtown Highland Park. Last year, the city held a “community march” instead of a parade.