More Good News About Young Uber Shooting Victim

KALAMAZOO, MI – The family of the youngest victim in shooting rampage across Kalamazoo last month released more good news Thursday on the crowdfunding page set up to raise money to cover the unexpected medical expenses related to the care of the teen who had been pronounced dead.

Abigail Kopf, who was taken off life support Sunday, opened her eyes and recognized her parents, who reported:

"She looked at us tonight. Her right eye is too swollen yet, but she managed to open her eyes and recognized us."

Kopf was one of eight people an Uber driver allegedly shot — six of them fatally — in a series of random shootings on Feb. 20. She was the sole survivor in a car parked at a Cracker Barrel restaurant. Among the three women fatally shot was her grandmother.

When the breathing tube and ventilator were removed Sunday, Kopf began breathing on her own. She wiped her face with a towel, her family said on the GoFundMe site set up by family Martha Thawnghmung.

SEE ALSO

• ‘Hearts Full of Joy’: Uber Shooting Victim Off Life Support
• Uber Violence: Dangerous History Before Kalamazoo
• Accused Kalamazoo Uber Shooter Charged with 6 Counts Murder

The teen’s parents, Gene and Vickie Kopf, were talking with doctors about organ donation when Kopf squeezed her mother’s hand, according to reports on the GoFundMe Page. “She was not done fighting,” her family wrote.

Now, she could begin rehabilitation in Grand Rapids as early as next week, according to an update on the page.

"It seems unbelievable to receive such wonderful news.," Thawanghmung wrote. "It also brings a new challenge. Mom and Dad will need a way to go there!"

Grand Rapids is located about 70 miles form the family's home in Battle Creek, and the Kopfs don't have reliable transportation to get there.

"Let us help them get to their little girl," Thawanghmung continued. "The comfort of Mom and Dad by her side no doubt has given this fighter strength for her battle. Please help us go one step further and get them farther towards Abbie's full recovery."

"Looking for an Answer"

Jason Brian Dalton, 45, of Kalamazoo, a former insurance adjuster with a clean criminal record, reportedly picked up fares between shootings. He was arraigned Monday on six counts of open murder, two counts of felony firearm.

Family, friends and acquaintances described Dalton as a friendly, helpful and happy man and devoted father to The Detroit News.

“If you lined up people you knew and had to pick someone who did this, he would be the last,” said a friend, Ken Engle, of Kalamazoo.

His wife, Carole, said Dalton seemed down two days before the shootings, and when she asked him what was wrong, he said he was tired, her attorney, Paul Vlachos, told the newspaper.

Authorities are mystified as to a motive.

“We’re all looking for an answer,” Vlachos said. “I wish we had one.”

» The Battle Creek Enquirer has a story about Kopf's fight for her life. You can read that here.