At least six people died and 24 were wounded in a shooting at a July Fourth parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, and officers are searching for a suspect who likely fired on the festivities from a rooftop, police said on Monday, July 4.
The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution.
Chicago Highland Park Police Commander Chris O’Neill, the incident commander on scene, urged people to shelter in place as authorities search for the suspect, described as a white male wearing a white or blue T-shirt.
Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said at a news conference that the gunman apparently opened fire on parade-goers from a rooftop using a rifle that was recovered at the scene. He didn’t know which building.
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Covelli said police believe there was only one shooter and warned that he should still be considered armed and dangerous.
Police have not released any details about the victims or wounded.
The parade began around 10 a.m. but it was suddenly halted about 10 minutes later after shots were fired. Hundreds of parade-goers — some visibly bloodied — fled the parade route, leaving behind chairs, baby strollers, plush toys, bicycles and blankets.
Police told people;
Everybody disperse, please. It is not safe to be here.
Highland Park Police said in a statement early Monday afternoon that five people had been killed and 19 people were taken to hospitals. but those numbers were revised soon after at the news conference.
Chicago Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement that he is “closely monitoring the situation in Highland Park” and that Illinois State Police are assisting.
Hundreds of parade-goers — some visibly bloodied — fled the parade route after shots rang out, leaving their belongings behind.
As of early afternoon, signs of a joyous event suddenly turned to horror filled both sides of Central Street where the shooting occurred.
Dozens of baby carriages, some bearing American flags, abandoned children’s bikes, a helmet bedecked with images of Cinderella were left behind in their haste.
Blankets, lawn chairs, coffees and water bottles were knocked over as people fled.
Mayor Nancy Rotering said at the news conference;
This morning at 10:14, our community was terrorized by an act of violence that has shaken us to our core.
Our hearts go out to the families of the victims at this devastating time. On a day that we came together to celebrate community and freedom, we are instead mourning the tragic loss of life and struggling with the terror that was brought upon us.
