Why My Father Taught Gun Safety
LOCAL NEWSChurch prays for girl who was shot
By Anna Fry
Parsons Sun
There will be a prayer gathering tonight for a 5-year-old Oswego girl who was wounded by a gunshot in Linwood Saturday.
Katherine Cook, daughter of Lamont and JoAnne Cook, was playing outside with two brothers at about 4:40 p.m. Saturday when she was struck in the head. She is in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.
A recorded update of Katherine’s condition said she was off sedation and still on a ventilator this morning. She was not receiving supplemental oxygen and life supports were minimal. Her heart rate was erratic. Katherine made some purposeful movements such as scratching her belly.
The recording said her parents are hopeful, but cautious. They are deeply thankful and overwhelmed by the love and concern that has been shown to the family. Katherine’s six siblings are with extended family.
The public is welcome to attend the gathering at 6 p.m. at the family’s church, which is the Parsons branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3529 Gabriel.
“It’s going to be a 20-minute gathering for prayer on her behalf,” branch president Stephen Richins said. Many people are fasting because of the belief it helps them draw closer to God in prayer and is a way of pleading for a miracle, Richins said.
Katherine’s father is the church’s former branch president and former CEO of Oswego Medical Center. He recently began a job outside of Kansas City and the family plans to move to Linwood in the future, Richins said. JoAnne Cook and the children have stayed in Oswego and see Lamont on the weekends.
Leavenworth County Sheriff David Zoellner said while he is not ruling anything out, it doesn’t appear Katherine was targeted.
“There’s no indication that there’s any malicious act involved,” he said. People hunt and target practice in the rural, wooded area, he said. Whoever fired the shot could be unaware of what happened, he said.
The department is asking anyone with information to come forward. Three vehicle check points were set up Monday to question motorists.
“We’re continuing the investigation,” Zoellner said. “The parents have been very cooperative and the neighbors have been very cooperative.”
Trust funds in Katherine’s name have been established at Commercial Bank and Labette Bank. Periodic updates about Katherine’s condition are available at 421-2932. Flowers cannot be accepted at the pediatric intensive care unit.
Wendy said:
How horrible. My prayers are with the family. Makes me want to run home and hug the monster as tight as I can...
linda said:
guns will do that. must be sure where the gunfire MIGHT end up. sad. sure hope there is a fast and complete recovery.
Tracy said:
For God's sake, Wendy....DO IT!
I have soooooo....sooo.....sooooooo many regrets.
My kids coulda had a much better Dad.
I coulda been a much better kid.
Aw heck, just hug the sweet little monster.
Maybe it's squeeze the "foriegn object" right outta him!
What's the old saying?
I used to complain that my feet hurt until I met a guy who lost his legs.
Well, I could dwell on this one.
Anybody think this?
"Where was God at this moment?"
I have soooooo....sooo.....sooooooo many regrets.
My kids coulda had a much better Dad.
I coulda been a much better kid.
Aw heck, just hug the sweet little monster.
Maybe it's squeeze the "foriegn object" right outta him!
What's the old saying?
I used to complain that my feet hurt until I met a guy who lost his legs.
Well, I could dwell on this one.
Anybody think this?
"Where was God at this moment?"
Wendy said:
Tracy,
I followed your advice :) And the "foreign object" (which turned out to be an earring, btw) made it's way out last night as well...
I followed your advice :) And the "foreign object" (which turned out to be an earring, btw) made it's way out last night as well...
Danny said:
Tracy,
I'm Catholic(as I've mentioned one time on the WEBlog) and I don't ask where was God at but wonder about the interest twists freewill places in our lives.
I'll have my prayers with the family as this certainly is going to be a hard time for them.
Wendy,
I'm with you on that one. :D Except I've got two of them I'll have to hug and they both seem to want to be hugged at the same time. Though I refer to them as Stress #1 and Stress #2, and it doesn't necessary have anything to do with any particular order on anything... so its just an arbitrary title at any time. :D
I'm Catholic(as I've mentioned one time on the WEBlog) and I don't ask where was God at but wonder about the interest twists freewill places in our lives.
I'll have my prayers with the family as this certainly is going to be a hard time for them.
Wendy,
I'm with you on that one. :D Except I've got two of them I'll have to hug and they both seem to want to be hugged at the same time. Though I refer to them as Stress #1 and Stress #2, and it doesn't necessary have anything to do with any particular order on anything... so its just an arbitrary title at any time. :D
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