A mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in a Chicago suburb area leaves at least 6 people dead (5 adults and 1 child) and 24 injured. Five victims were found dead at the scene. One victim died en route to the hospital.
The suspect is still at-large.
The shooting in Highland Park, about 25 miles north of Chicago, began shortly after 10 a.m. CT as parade-goers enjoyed a sunny Fourth of July parade along Central Avenue.
According to authorities, the suspect was shooting into the crowd from a rooftop.
Firearm evidence was found on the rooftop of a nearby business, police commander Chris O’Neill said. The firearm was a “high-powered rifle” and the attack appeared to be “random” and “intentional,” said Christopher Covelli, spokesman for the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.
Investigators are pulling evidence together to determine where the firearm was purchased and possible identify the shooter.
The suspect was described as a white man between 18-20 years old with a small-build, long black hair, and wearing a T-shirt. He was described as “armed and dangerous” and officials advised people to take shelter.
A total of 31 people were transported to two hospitals, according to NorthShore University Health System spokesperson Jim Anthony. The vast majority had gunshot wounds, while other injuries were caused in the chaos after the shooting, he said.
The first victim has been identified.
CNN reports:
The incident marks at least the 308th mass shooting in the US this year, according to data compiled by the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit tracking such incidents. The organization defines a mass shooting as involving four or more people shot, not including the shooter.
There have been 11 mass shootings in the first four days of July, including three on July 4 alone, in Richmond, Virginia; Chicago, and Highland Park, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Mass shootings in the United States are getting so bad that Google Maps is now alerted locals when a shooting has occured.
Sad time for America. Be careful everyone.
