GRAND RAPIDS -- The family of a Grand Valley State University student shot by police said he did nothing to provoke gunfire in a drug raid at the student's off-campus apartment.

"All he had time to do was cover his face from a flashlight in his eyes, and they shot him," George Copp said today.

His son, Derek Copp, 20, was shot in the upper chest Wednesday night by an Ottawa County sheriff's deputy, who is assigned to the West Michigan Enforcement Team, a three-county drug unit. Copp is recovering at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus.He was originally listed in serious condition, but his family has requested the hospital not release information.

George Copp said police have not provided an explanation for the shooting.

"We haven't heard anything."

He declined further comment because "I don't want to say anything that might hurt my son."

WOOD-TV also interviewed Derek Copp's parents, Sheryl and George Copp of Spring Arbor.

Watch WOOD-TV interview with Sheryl and George Copp

Highlights of their interview include:

• Derek told his parents he had lifted his right arm to cover his eyes from a bright flashlight when the shot was fired. He says he did not know it was police knocking on his door Wednesday night when he was home studying with his roommate before the shooting.

• Doctors plan to remove the bullet from Derek's chest today. It entered the right side of his upper chest, broke ribs, ruptured his right lung and went through his liver, his parents said.

• "From what I understand, half the kids in the school may smoke pot," George Copp told WOOD-TV. "And he does, he may, too, but he's not a drug dealer. He's a good kid, and he shouldn't have been shot for that."

• Copp's parents said they didn't learn about the shooting until just before 3 a.m. Thursday -- six hours after the drug raid. They said a nurse and their son called from the hospital. Copp told his parents he gave police their home number and cell phone numbers.

RELATED CONTENT

• Derek Copp's dad says GVSU student is not a drug dealer; family wants information from cops

• GVSU shooting victim Derek Copp's YouTube videos, Facebook page make numerous drug references

• Police say deputy's shooting of unarmed GVSU student will be handled like any other shooting investigation

• Role on police drug team involved in shooting of GVSU student described as intense

• Derek Copp speaks: 'Give peace a chance,' he tells GVSU rally

• GVSU students protest shooting of Derek Copp, hold "Why was our friend shot" signs

• Protests begin at Grand Valley State University after off-campus police shooting of student

• Shooting of Grand Valley State University student is fifth shooting this year by police in Kent, Ottawa counties

• Friends of Grand Valley student Derek Copp, shot by police in Campus View Apartments, accuse officers of overreacting

•

Video: GVSU student shot by police during drug investigation was not armed, police say

• Derek Copp is name of Grand Valley student shot, injured by police during drug raid

• Shot that hit Grand Valley State University student was fired by Ottawa deputy, state police say

• Complete coverage

E-mail the author of this story: localnews@grpress.com