February 23, 2016
Kalamazoo, Mich (WLS) --
A 14-year-old girl (click here) was almost pronounced dead prematurely after being shot in a Kalamazoo, Michigan, Cracker Barrel parking lot.
Abigail Kopf, a "strong-willed" 14-year-old, is on a ventilator in critical condition after being wounded in the attacks, her parents and doctor say.
She was originally believed to be among those killed early Sunday morning after the Saturday night rampage by alleged shooter Jason Dalton.
Dr. Aaron Lane-Davies of Bronson Children's Hospital said Abigail's heart beat stopped during attempts to save her life, but it was restored. An organ donation service was contacted with her parents' permission, though she was never declared medically brain dead, he said.
That's when the girl squeezed her mother's hand.
Lt. Dale Hinz with the Michigan State Police tells ABC that the mother then asked her daughter to squeeze her hand again if she could hear her, and she did. The doctor asked the girl to give a thumbs up if she could hear him, and she gave two thumbs up.
According to Hinz, the hospital then immediately started prepping the teen for surgery....
