Girl left brain-dead after Michigan shooting gives thumbs up
A teen wounded during the shooting rampage in Kalamazoo, Mich., was declared brain-dead and about to have her organs harvested when she suddenly showed signs of life, according to a new report Monday.
Abigail Kopf, 14, remained hospitalized in critical condition and “fighting for her life,” ABC News said.
Michigan State Police Lt. Dale Hinz told ABC that Kopf’s family said Bronson Methodist Hospital was preparing to remove the girl’s organs for donation when she squeezed her distraught mom’s hand.
Kopf squeezed her mother’s hand again when the mom asked if her daughter could hear her, Hinz said.
She also gave thumbs-up signs with both hands when a doctor asked her to give him a thumbs-up if she could hear him, Hinz said.
She was then rushed into surgery to treat her wounds, with her family releasing a statement that said: “Our daughter’s prognosis is uncertain as she continues fighting for her life.”
News of the miraculous recovery came as Uber driver Jason Dalton, 45, was ordered held without bail at his arraignment on six counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and eight weapons counts.
Dalton — who reports say kept picking up fares in between bursts of gunfire Saturday night — wore an orange jumpsuit and sat in a metal chair as he appeared via video from the local slammer.
He showed no emotion beyond darting his eyes back and forth during the 10-minute proceeding.
A court official said video arraignments were standard procedure for defendants arrested overnight or on weekends.
The murder charges against Dalton each carry a maximum life sentence.
ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlfnd7j2tma2pfnLazuIydnJykkaeypXnBq5iipl2ZsqKwjJqdrZ2iYsKjsdFmqqGnn6m2r7OMoKCvnaNiwanBzJuqZq2gYq%2Bmss6rnGanopyur7%2BMoZirrpWowaawjg%3D%3D