At least 6 killed, 24 hurt in shooting at July 4th parade near Chicago
Associated Press
Posted:
Updated:
NOTE: A more recently updated story on the search for the suspect can be read here. Previous coverage below.
CHICAGO — Police say at least six people are dead and 24 were wounded in a shooting at a July Fourth parade in a Chicago suburb, and officers are searching for a suspect who likely fired on the festivities from a rooftop.
Highland Park Police Commander Chris O’Neill 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 Monday morning using a rifle that was recovered at the scene.
Covelli says police believe there was only one shooter and he should still be considered armed and dangerous. Police have not released any details about the victims.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that the parade began around 10 a.m. but was suddenly halted 10 minutes later after shots were fired. A Sun-Times reporter saw blankets placed over three bloodied bodies. Several witnesses told the newspaper that they heard gunfire.
Hundreds of parade-goers — some visibly bloodied — fled the parade route, leaving behind chairs, baby strollers and blankets.
Police told people: “Everybody disperse, please. It is not safe to be here.”
Video shot by a Sun-Times journalist after the gunfire rang out shows a band on a float continuing to play as people run past, screaming. A photo posted to social media appeared to show pools of blood near upturned chairs in downtown Highland Park.
Debbie Glickman, a Highland Park resident, said she was on a parade float with coworkers and the group was preparing to turn onto the main route when she saw people running from the area.
“People started saying: ‘There’s a shooter, there’s a shooter, there’s a shooter,'” Glickman told the Associated Press. “So we just ran. We just ran. It’s like mass chaos down there.”
Latest updates:
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Lynn Sweet - member image share, Chicago Sun-Times
Blood pooled at Port Clinton Square in Highland Park, after a shooting at a July Fourth parade, in a Chicago suburb, Monday, July 4, 2022.
Lynn Sweet - member image share, Chicago Sun-Times
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Lynn Sweet - member image share, Chicago Sun-Times
Terrified parade-goers fled Highland Park's Fourth of July parade after shots were fired, leaving behind their belongings as they sought safety, Monday, July 4, 2022, in Highland Park, Ill.
Lynn Sweet - member image share, Chicago Sun-Times
Empty chairs sit along the sidewalk after parade-goers fled Highland Park's Fourth of July parade after shots were fired, Monday, July 4, 2022 in Chicago.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere - member image share, Chicago Sun-Times
Police search the downtown area of the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Ill., after a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade Monday, July 4, 2022.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere - member image share, Chicago Sun-Times
Empty chairs sit along the sidewalk after parade-goers fled Highland Park's Fourth of July parade after shots were fired, Monday, July 4, 2022 in Chicago.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere - member image share, Chicago Sun-Times
Police from several local municipalities including the Illinois State Police search downtown Highland Park after the mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade Monday, July 4, 2022 in Chicago.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere - member image share, Chicago Sun-Times
Police from several local municipalities including the Illinois State Police search downtown Highland Park after a shooting where multiple people were shot and other injured at the Fourth of July parade Monday, July 4, 2022, in a suburb of Chicago.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere - member image share, Chicago Sun-Times
Police search the downtown area of the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Ill., after a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade Monday, July 4, 2022.
Nam Y. Huh - staff, AP
Police search the downtown area in Highland Park after a shooting at a Fourth of July parade, Monday, July 4, 2022.
Nam Y. Huh - staff, AP
Law enforcement search in a building after a mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park, a Chicago suburb on Monday, July 4, 2022.
Nam Y. Huh - staff, AP
Police tape hangs at corner of Central Avenue and Green Bay Rd., in Highland Park, a Chicago suburb, Monday, July 4, 2022, after a mass shooting at Highland Park Fourth of July parade.
Nam Y. Huh - staff, AP
Law enforcement search in downtown Highland Park, a Chicago suburb, after a mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade, Monday, July 4, 2022.
Nam Y. Huh - staff, AP
Law enforcement search in downtown Highland Park, a Chicago suburb, after a mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade, Monday, July 4, 2022.
Nam Y. Huh - staff, AP
Students are escorted by police officers as they cross under police tape after a mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park, Ill., a Chicago suburb on Monday, July 4, 2022.
Nam Y. Huh - staff, AP
Students are escorted by police officers as they cross under police tape after a mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park, Ill., a Chicago suburb on Monday, July 4, 2022.
