Creve Coeur, Mo. ? 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 family spokesman Tom Noonan.

Noonan, a family friend and 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 he was 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 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 that 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 … that he’s come around so fast.”