She was shot twice in the back and survived. Now a friend is raising money

Laura Vargas, who graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in 2007, remains in critical condition after she was shot twice in the back during the shooting Sunday at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub, according to a GoFundMe set up Monday.

Vargas, 29, was at the nightclub early Sunday when a gunman opened fire in what is now considered the nation’s deadliest mass shooting. She is one of at least 29 people who remained hospitalized Monday after the shooting. Forty-nine people, most of whom have been identified by police, were killed.

Since its creation Monday morning, the page has raised more than $12,000.

The academy posted a message on its Facebook page Sunday evening offering thoughts and prayers to the victims.

All proceeds from the page, created by a college friend early Monday morning, will be given to Vargas’ family for medical bills.

According to posts made on the page, Vargas also attended St. Brendan Elementary School in Miami-Dade. Vargas, also a student at Florida International University, was recognized Monday during a campus vigil for the Orlando attack victims.

This story was originally published June 13, 2016 at 4:26 PM with the headline "She was shot twice in the back and survived. Now a friend is raising money."