Six dead, 24 wounded as ‘sniper’ opens fire on Fourth of July parade
Police in the United States have arrested an allegedly “armed and dangerous” suspect after dozens were shot during July 4 celebrations.
Police have arrested the alleged gunman behind a horrific mass shooting during Independence Day celebrations in the United States, following a frantic manhunt.
Six people were killed and at least 26 others were injured after a shooter began firing into a celebratory parade in the affluent Chicago suburb of Highland Park.
Authorities were searching for a 22-year-old man named Robert “Bobby” E. Crimo III, who they believed to be travelling in a silver 2010 Honda Fit with an Illinois license plate. The community was warned that the suspect was believed to be “armed and dangerous”.
Crimo was seen in North Chicago, after a police officer attempted to pull him over, CNN reports. While the man attempted to flee the scene, he was taken into custody without incident at Lake Forest, Illinois (roughly 8.6km away), following a short pursuit.
The rapper, who goes by the name Awake, is now in custody at the Highland Park police department, where we remains a “person of interest”. As of yet, police maintain they’re a “long way” from filing charges, however authorities believe there was a “significant amount of digital evidence,” which led to the arrest.
“Calling somebody a suspect or person of interest, it’s really synonymous,” said a spokesperson for the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, Christopher Covelli.
“This individual is believed to have been responsible for what happened and the investigation will continue.”
Previously the suspect was described as a white man with a small build, approximately 18 to 20 years old, with long black hair, and wearing a white or blue T-shirt.
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Shortly before the arrest, WGN journalist, Jenna Barnes, reported that FBI had arrived at Crimo’s home where it’s believed he lived with his family. Located in the Illinois suburb of Highwood, roughly 2.4km from where the shooting took place.
“FBI now starting to leave the home. Highwood Police wouldn’t say why when I asked,” Ms Barnes tweeted.
FBI at Highwood, IL, home right now about a mile and a half from Highland Park shooting scene. Neighbor tells me Robert “Bobby†Crimo III lives here with family. pic.twitter.com/p4uBu8M8XW
— Jenna Barnes (@Jenna_Barnes) July 4, 2022
‘We don’t know what his intentions are’
At least 26 people were also injured after the killer attacked victims in a sniper-style from a rooftop above the Parade in the suburb of Highland Park.
A spokesperson for the Lake County Major Crime Task Force described the attack as “random” and “intentional,” with authorities now racing to track down the ownership of the “high-powered rifle,” and how it was purchased.
Speaking at a news conference, the Deputy Chief of the Lake County sheriff’s office was unable to discount the potential for a second attack, adding that “we don’t know what his intentions are at this point”.
“All indications is he was discreet and he was very difficult to see,” he said.
Witnesses told the Chicago Sun Times they saw at least three bloodied bodies covered in blankets on the ground and five others injured nearby.
Footage from the scene showed hundreds of people — some visibly bloodied — fleeing the parade route as the gunshots rang out about 10 minutes after the parade began at 10am (1am AEST).
Chairs, pushchairs and blankets were among the items left behind as people fled.
Parade participants, many of the children, marched along oblivious at first to the multiple gun shots ringing out behind them.
Highland Park, Illinois today. Fourth of July parade. An affluent suburb of Chicago.
— Rex ChapmanðŸ‡ðŸ¼ (@RexChapman) July 4, 2022
We’re terrorizing the kids. And one another…https://t.co/RNgnkMlF6Y
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said on Twitter it is assisting Highland Park Police “with a shooting in the area of the Independence Day parade route.”
Sgt. Covelli told reporters at the scene that the shooting appeared to be “completely random”.
Victims aged from 8 to 85
The first victim from the Highland Park shooting has been identified as 78-year-old Nicholas Toledo.
The grandfather was in attendance with 15 to 20 other family members, many of whom were also injured in the attack.
Mr Toledo has been remembered by his son, Alejo Toledo, as a ”great father”.
“He’s beautiful, we took a fishing trip three weeks ago,” he told the New York Post.
It’s understood that a total of 26 people were taken to the Highland Park Hospital after the shooting, with 25 of those patients sustaining gun shot injuries. The medical director of the North Shore University Health System, Dr Brigham Temple said he believed at least four or five children were injured in the attack. 19 patients have since been discharged.
“Some of them were minor, some of them were more severe,” he added.
“Two remain at the hospital in stable condition, while the others were transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment.”
Other bystanders are said to be still sheltering in homes and shops in the upscale neighbourhood fearful due to the gunman still being at large.
Representative Brad Schneider, whose electorate includes Highland Park, said he and his team had been gathering at the start of the parade route when the shooting unfolded.
“Everyone scattered and ran. As I was going around, I came across a group of young kids who were trying to call their parents to say they were okay, so I stopped and offered to let them use my phone,” he told CNN.
“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,” Schneider tweeted.
“Enough is enough!” Debbie Glickman, a local resident, said she was on a parade float when she saw people running away from the area.
“People started saying ‘There’s a shooter, there’s a shooter, there a shooter,’” Ms Glickman said. “So we just ran. We just ran. It’s like mass chaos down there.”
She added, “I’m so freaked out … It’s just so sad.”
One parade goer, who wished to remain anonymous, described the gunman as “monstrous-looking as this act was.”
“I was eating a Walker Brothers Pancake House,” they told The Sun. “He’s a very short, frail man. Gaunt.”
Another person only gave his name as Dee in fear over his safety since the gunman is still on the loose.
“I’m scared, to be honest. That has been my work city for eight years, I walk those streets and the fact that the gunman is still at large is scary.
“I’m supposed to work tonight at a grocery store and I can’t even find the right words right now.
“I may not be able to get to work since I take the train. All trains are halted and downtown is locked down,” Dee continued.
Several witnesses told the Chicago-Sun Times that they heard about 20-25 shots fired.
“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 told the outlet.
The witness said he saw “people in that area that got shot,” including “a woman covered with blood.”
“It was a quiet, peaceful, lovely morning, people were enjoying the parade,” bystander Adrienne Drell told the Chicago-Sun Times.
“Within seconds, to have that peacefulness suddenly ripped apart, it’s scary. You can’t go anywhere, you can’t find peace. I think we are falling apart.”
Joe Biden blasts ‘senseless gun violence’
In the aftermath of the shooting, US President Joe Biden has commented on the deadly shooting, which has occurred just a month on from the Texas elementary school shooting which claimed the lives of 19 children and two adults.
Mr Biden said him and his wife, Dr Jill Biden were “shocked by the senseless gun violence that has yet again brought grief to an American community on this Independence Day.”
“I also surged (sic) Federal law enforcement to assist in the urgent search for the shooter, who remains at large at this time.”
Speaking about the need to tighter gun control rules, Mr Biden recommitted to his plans of implementing “bipartisan gun reform legislation”.
“There is so much more work to do, and I’m not going to give up fighting the epidemic of gun violence.”
The president has spoken to the Illinois governor and mayor of Highland Park about today's deadly parade shooting. pic.twitter.com/0hMY6nz5bE
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) July 4, 2022
Multiple other US politicians have also responded to what is the latest in a series of shootings in the country.
Nancy Pelosi wrote, “Americans’ hearts are broken by the senseless gun violence in Highland Park today, as innocent families were celebrating this all-American holiday.
“We pray for all those who have lost loved ones and for the entire community forever scarred by this shooting.”
David Axelrod wrote, “A friend took his kids to July 4th Parade in Highland Park today. His son has special needs.
“When shots rang out, they ran for their lives, the dad pushing his grown son’s wheelchair — which at one point tumbled over.
“On America’s day, what has become a sickeningly American story.”
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