Farhan "Ronny" Ahmed, one of the victims in last week's shooting a Florida State University, was shot three times, including once in the spine, his family said Monday.

Ferhana Ahmed, who is Ronny Ahmed's sister, said her brother was shot in the spine, which has left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Myron May, 31, opened fire inside and in front of the Strozier Library on Thursday, Nov. 20. He shot  three people — two students and an employee — before he was killed by police.

Ferhana Ahmed spoke from Tallahassee Memorial Health Care. She said her brother's condition has been upgraded from critical condition to serious condition.

"Despite his injuries, he's alive," Ferhana Ahmed said. "And we're so grateful he's here with us."

Ronny Ahmed, 21, is studying biomedical engineering at FSU. He has about 1.5 years left before he graduates, his sister said.

Ferhana Ahmed said her brother spends a lot of time volunteering within the community, especially when it comes to animals.

"He cares so much about his community, he cares so much about helping others — almost to the detriment of himself a lot of times," she said.

Both Ferhana and Ronny Ahmed are from the Orlando area. Ronny attended Lake Highland Preparatory School.

"Thank you, sincerely, to everybody," Ferhana Ahmed said. "From the bottom of my heart and my family's heart that we are so appreciative and so grateful for the support."

Ferhana said she doesn't have any ties to Florida State, "but just a great brother who's a 'Nole."

John Thrasher, who was recently named Florida State University's president, said the school will be "100 percent committed to ensuring we do everything we can do fullfill Ronny's dream ... of graduating from Florida State."

May graduated from Florida State in 2005 before attending Texas Tech University's law school, where he graduated in 2009. He was practicing law in Texas and New Mexico before he returned to the Tallahassee area about three weeks ago, officials said.