The victim of the shooting at Arapahoe High School in Colorado remains in critical condition after being shot point-blank on Friday, NBC News reported.
Claire Davis, 17, was shot by Karl Halverson Pierson, 18, who entered the school with multiple weapons with the intent to "harm multiple individuals," according to Sheriff Grayson Robinson.
Robinson also said Davis suffered from head trauma and is still listed as being in critical condition at Littleton Adventist Hospital.
"I believe Claire Davis is an innocent young lady," Robinson said, emphasizing Davis and the shooter were not friends and that the attack was supposed to be "some type of retaliation" against the school's debate coach, who recently punished Pierson.
"I choose to never use his name again in public," the sheriff added.
Davis' family released a statement following the tragic incident, thanking authorities and members of the community for their help and support.
"Our beautiful daughter Claire Davis has severe head trauma as a result of a gunshot. She needs your continued prayers," the statement read.
On Saturday, students from the high school held a ceremony for Davis, who was described by her family as a "woman of principle" and a student as "amazing and so sweet."
Avery Griggs, a sophomore at the school, told The Denver Post that Davis is "one of the nicest people I've met at Arapahoe."
"She is amazing and so sweet," Griggs said.
Social media sites like Twitter are contiually flooded with posts expressing their prayers and support for Davis. Michael Skolnik, political director for Russell Simons, tweeted "Claire Davis, the 17 yr old who was shot in head yesterday at Arapahoe HS, is fighting for her life. Pls pray for her," along with a picture of the teen.
