The GoFundMe created for the couple wounded after protecting their two children during a Michigan water park shooting has amassed over $125,000 in donations.
On June 15, Micayla and Eric Coughlin attended the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad in Rochester Hills with their two kids, aged two and seven months.
According to a donations page set up by their friend, gunshots rang out just one minute after the family arrived at the park.
“Shortly after grabbing ice cream they walked to the splash pad and were not even there for a minute when Micayla and Eric heard gunfire,” the post stated.
To save their children, Micayla and Eric "each grabbed a child to protect them" and suffered a total of seven gunshot wounds
Because of the parents' "heroic actions," their young children were "protected and able to go home that evening".
Unfortunately, the two have been hospitalized and are undergoing treatment. “Micayla and Eric face a long and unknown recovery from this unthinkable tragedy,” the post continued.
As of this writing, $126,617 has been raised from more than 2,200 donations. The money will go to "unexpected medical bills" and will help with the "financial burden from being off from their jobs while raising two beautiful young children".
On June 21, Micayla shared the following update with those who have donated: "Eric has been released from the hospital earlier this week. I still have a long road of recovery ahead of me, getting home to my girls is my biggest motivator.
"I was moved from the inpatient trauma floor to the inpatient rehab floor. Here they will help me relearn how to care for myself and complete my daily activities modified for my injuries."
She has since celebrated her 30th birthday and was due to return home this week.
It has been reported that seven other park-goers suffered gunshot wounds.
The sickening gun violence left an eight-year-old boy in critical condition after being shot in the head while his brother, four, suffered a shot to the thigh.
A 39-year-old woman said to be related to the two boys also sustained gunshot wounds to her abdomen and legs and is in critical condition.
The other six victims were all aged 30 and older, including a 78-year-old man. All were in stable condition, per The New York Post.
Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett revealed that one of the victims is the wife of a city worker and she was there with 14 family and friends, the Detroit News reported.
“[When I talked to her husband,] he was in shock, but he was grateful his family was OK and is focused on supporting them,” he said.
According to ABC News, the gunman was identified by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office as Michael William Nash. He reportedly died by suicide, police said.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard disclosed that preliminary information shows that the shooting appeared to be random. Bouchard said the suspect allegedly drove up to the park, walked to the water recreation area, and then fired up to 28 times, stopping several times to reload.
The sheriff added that the man was "apparently in no rush" and "just calmly walked back to his car" after the violent ordeal.
Mayor Barnett issued a statement about the heartbreaking incident, which read: "This is a horrible scene that has been repeated too many times across our country... Unfortunately touching our city today."
“The Brooklands is a proud neighborhood and our city is equally tight-knit and strong. We will be ok. I would ask all of our residents to continue praying for the victims, their families, and for our community," he added.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the horrific attack.