VICTIM’S FAMILY: Logan Cole out of ICU

UPDATE @ 11:50 p.m. (Jan. 21)

Family members said West Liberty-Salem High School student Logan Cole, who was hit multiple times by a shotgun in the Friday morning school shooting, is showing progress.

Cole’s father, Ryan, posted on Facebook tonight that his son was moved out of ICU at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. Earlier, Ryan Cole posted on social media that doctors removed a breathing tube.

Today, officials revealed that another student, a 17-year-old who was not named, was hit by part of a shot but was not seriously injured.

Ryan Cole said his son has 70 to 80 shotgun pellets in his body, including two in his spinal canal. His backbone took a lot of impact from one of the shots and he will need to wear a neck and back brace for months as his bones heal. He also has lung damage and three broken teeth from hitting the floor, his father posted.

Logan Cole is talking, and one of the first things he asked was that his family pray for his shooter.

Also today, officials identified the suspect as 17-year-old senior Ely Serna. Prosecutors intend to try him as an adult.

EARLIER

The 16-year-old victim in the West Liberty Salem High School shooting is identified as Logan Cole. He remains in critical but stable condition at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus according to hospital officials speaking on behalf of his family.

Logan Cole’s family released a statement late Friday afternoon:

“We are thankful for the Lord’s protective hand on our son. We are also grateful for the outpouring of support from our family, friends, and community. We would like to ask for continued prayers for Logan. Also, we’d like to encourage prayer for the community, the other student, and his family. We are certain they have been deeply hurt as well. We are confident that God has a purpose and plan through this tragedy.”

Logan Cole’s father, Ryan Cole, also took to Facebook, requesting prayers for his son and family, as well the shooter and his family.

Logan Cole was not the intended target of the shooting, according to Champaign County Sheriff Matthew Melvin, who said the shooting was intended to harm more people.

Melvin said Cole was shot multiple times inside the school with a shotgun.

The incident occurred in a common area of the school, a hallway area, according to Superintendent Kraig Hissong, just as the school day was getting underway.

Melvin said staff were able to pin down the gunman, a 17-year-old Ely Serna, until deputies arrived and were able to take him into custody without incident.

Hissong praised student and faculty who followed ALICE training protocol when they made the escape from the school.

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Deputies searched Serna’s home, and also towed his vehicle from the school's parking lot Friday.  He is being held at an area juvenile detention facility and is scheduled to appear in juvenile court on Monday.

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Investigators have not identified the shooting suspect, but we have obtained the name from multiple sources and are working to confirm the identity with officials.