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14-year-old Kalamazoo shooting victim breathing on her own

Posted at 5:26 PM, Feb 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-28 17:26:48-05

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Abigail Kopf, 14, who was one of five people shot outside of a Cracker Barrel during the shooting spree on February 20, has been taken off a ventilator and is now breathing on her own.

The update below was posted late Sunday afternoon to the teen’s GoFundMe page.

“Our hearts are full of joy right now as we celebrate a milestone for Abbie. The tube is out she’s breathing on her own. And she wiped her own face with a towel! Bless you all and we have so much gratitude for your support.”

The teen was with the woman she calls grandma, Barbara Hawthorne, and two other victims when shots rang out. The five victims had just finished watching a play and were returning to their cars in the Cracker Barrel parking lot when they were shot.

Abigail was initially thought to have been the seventh person shot to death, and while doctors discussed organ donation she responded to her mother’s voice by squeezing her hand. The girl squeezed her mother’s hand again when asked if she could hear her, and then she gave two thumbs up.

Kopf’s parents told media last week she’s squeezing more hands and showing signs of progress.

“She is alive and she’s fighting for her life,” Vicki Kopf, Abigail’s mom, said on Feb. 22. “I want everyone to understand that Abigail is strong and she is a vibrant, beautiful young lady that didn’t deserve this. Nor did her grandmother and those other victims.”