CREVE COEUR — Kirkwood Mayor Mike Swoboda opened his eyes Sunday and squeezed his friend's fingers.

"It was one of the best feelings I've ever had," said the friend, Tom Noonan.

Noonan, a spokesman for the family and a former Kirkwood city councilman, addressed reporters Sunday afternoon at St. John's Mercy Medical Center.

Swoboda, 69, showed progress but remained in critical condition after being shot twice in the head during last week's rampage at Kirkwood City Hall. Charles Lee "Cookie" Thornton shot and killed two police officers, two city council members and the public works director during a council meeting Thursday night. Swoboda and a reporter also were wounded. Police shot and killed Thornton at the scene.

Noonan said Sunday marked the first day Swoboda was responsive to others. Earlier in the day, Swoboda raised his legs, turned his head, looked at Noonan and squeezed his hand. At one point, Noonan said, Swoboda even tried to get out of bed.

"It's the type of improvement that you expect only from prayer and from expert medical care," Noonan said. "We're very, very surprised — I am — that he's come around so fast."

Swoboda is heavily sedated and can breathe on his own, Noonan said, though he remains on a respirator as a precaution.

"It's touch and go," Noonan said. "I want the public to know that it could go either way."

One of the bullets entered Swoboda's right cheekbone and exited the other side, Noonan said. The other wound was less severe, although the bullet that caused it entered and exited the back of the mayor's head. Noonan said Swoboda has had brain surgery and will need facial reconstruction surgery.

Swoboda's family and friends have been staying with him and talking to him, Noonan said. Swoboda's son Michael has come home from his studies at Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., to support his father.

"I think that the community is really pulling for him because of the love they have for the community," Noonan said. "If he survives, that could be one good thing that comes out of this tragedy."

Former Kirkwood Mayor Marjorie Schramm said she is encouraged by Swoboda's progress.

"That's good news," she said. "I think everybody knew (his recovery) was going to be slow."

Swoboda served four terms on the City Council before being elected mayor. He was president of the St. Louis County Municipal League and is retired from Monsanto Co. as a manager of information systems.

Todd Smith, the Suburban Journals reporter who was shot in the hand, was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon.