Cooper Roberts fundraiser: Event being held this weekend for Highland Park shooting victim

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. - A fundraiser will be held Sunday, Oct. 16 to benefit one of the youngest victims of the Highland Park Fourth of July parade shooting.

Cooper Roberts was left partially paralyzed after being shot during the holiday massacre. At 8 years old, he continues to inspire those around him – including people he's never met.

"This year after this happened, you just saw Cooper and he just grabbed your heart, and I can't say that enough," said Kathy Karowsky, owner of Whiskey River Bar & Grill in Glenview. "His life has changed forever and the family is going to need all the help and support they can get."

To help cover Cooper's medical expenses and continued recovery, Karowsky is opening the doors of her Glenview bar for a family-oriented fundraiser from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

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Karowsky, says she doesn't know the family personally but has been following their updates and felt strongly about doing something to help.

"It just shows it can happen to anybody. I have young kids, young grand babies, and it's just a scary world and you have to live every day because your life can change in an instant," said Karowsky. "I do hope one day I get to meet this little guy."

There will be food, drinks, games and prizes at Sunday’s fundraiser. Families can partake in face-painting, a magic show, and a tie-dying station.

"It’s going to be a fun-filled day for the kids," said Karowsky.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Admission is $20 for anyone 10 and up, and free for kids 9 and younger.

Whiskey River Bar & Grill is located at 1850 Waukegan Road in Glenview.

All proceeds from admission to the event will be donated to Cooper's family to help ease the cost of medical equipment and assistive devices that the 3rd grader is learning to incorporate into his daily routine.

Earlier this week, Cooper returned to school for the first time since the shooting. It’s that fighting spirit that’s inspired so many, including Karowsky.

"I’d like him to know, there’s so much good in this world, even what he faced, so many people love this little boy and we don’t even know him," said Karowsky. "Go on Cooper, we’re fighting for ya!"

Meanwhile, the City of Highland Park has started to remove the temporary memorial for the July Fourth parade shooting victims. It’s a process that will stretch across the next three weeks.

Highland Park officials plan to create a temporary memorial in its Rose Garden next to City Hall.

Anything that's currently at the corner of St. Johns and Central will be carefully removed. Some of it will be archived at the Highland Park Public Library.