At least six people are confirmed dead and 24 more hospitalized after a shooting disrupted a 4th of July parade near Highland Park — just outside of Chicago — on Monday, causing parade goers to scatter and police to close off the area.
The shooting began shortly after the parade got underway, and multiple people were reportedly struck. A Chicago Sun Times reporter saw several bloodied bodies covered with blankets and other people who were visibly wounded at the scene.
“Mass Shooting (Highland Park) Emergency crews on scene of a shooting with numerous victims near Central Ave and Second St in downtown Highland Park. Reports of non gunshot victims,” the Lake & McHenry County Scanner account tweeted.
Mass Shooting (Highland Park) Emergency crews on scene of a shooting with numerous victims near Central Ave and Second St in downtown Highland Park. Reports of nine gunshot victims. https://t.co/CXi9dvhxcC
— Lake & McHenry County Scanner (@LMCScanner) July 4, 2022
According to law enforcement, the suspect-at-large is a white male 18 to 20 years old.
Sgt. Chirs Covelli of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said during a briefing that the suspect was shooting from a rooftop and is “still considered to be armed and dangerous.”
According to a report from the Sun Times, “The Highland Park Fourth of July parade ended in panic when shots were fired about 10 minutes after the parade kicked off at 10 a.m. Monday, striking an unknown number of parade-goers and sending hundreds of people running for safety.”
“I heard 20 to 25 shots, which were in rapid succession. So it couldn’t have been just a handgun or a shotgun,” Miles Zaremski, a Highland Park resident and witness to the shooting, told the Sun-Times. Zaremski also said that among the wounded he had seen “a woman covered with blood … She did not survive.”
“Everybody disperse, please,” Police warned everyone. “It is not safe to be here.”
“We are assisting Highland Park Police with a shooting in the area of the Independence Day parade route,” the Lake County Sheriff’s Department tweeted. “STAY OUT OF THE AREA — allow law-enforcement and first responders to do their work.”
We are assisting Highland Park Police with a shooting in the area of the Independence Day parade route. STAY OUT OF THE AREA – allow law-enforcement and first responders to do their work. pic.twitter.com/PTut6CGZAe
— Lake County Sheriff (@LakeCoILSheriff) July 4, 2022
Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) was at the parade’s start, but was able to take cover when the shooting began.
“Today a shooter struck in Highland Park during the Independence Day parade. My campaign team and I were gathering at the start of the parade when the shooting started,” Schneider tweeted. “My team and I are safe and secure. We are monitoring the situation closely and in touch with the Mayor.”
Today a shooter struck in Highland Park during the Independence Day parade. My campaign team and I were gathering at the start of the parade when the shooting started. My team and I are safe and secure. We are monitoring the situation closely and in touch with the Mayor.
— Brad Schneider (@Schneider4IL10) July 4, 2022
“Hearing of loss of life and others injured. My condolences to the family and loved ones; my prayers for the injured and for my community; and my commitment to do everything I can to make our children, our towns, our nation safer. Enough is enough!” he added.
This article has been expanded to include additional information.