Missaukee County shooting survivor, 13, is improving

Key Points:

• Bella Padilla Everitt, a 13-year-old survivor of a shooting spree in Lake City, Michigan, was shot multiple times but managed to call 911 and identify the shooter, Chad Hickman, leading to a swift police response.
• Bella is recovering in a Grand Rapids hospital after surgery to remove a bullet from her esophagus and is currently in stable but critical condition, with the possibility of additional surgeries needed.
• Her 16-year-old brother, Eric Thomas, and their mother Amanda Everitt, along with Amanda’s boyfriend Shane McGowan, were among the victims killed in the shooting; Bella was informed of their deaths only after her condition stabilized.
• The family described Bella as a shy, poetic girl who was close to her brother and mother, while Eric enjoyed outdoor activities and was preparing for his junior year of high school.
• The family has set up a GoFundMe to assist with funeral expenses and plans to hold a memorial service, with Bella’s grandfather highlighting her bravery and wanting her remembered as a hero rather than just a shooting victim.