By Jack Phillips
Six people were killed and at least 24 hospitalized in a parade in downtown Highland Park, officials told media outlets Monday.
“Numerous law enforcement officers are responding and have secured a perimeter around downtown Highland Park,” the statement said.
Witnesses told local media that crowds of people fled the scene after shots were heard.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a shooting took place and told people to stay away. The office did not confirm the number of victims.
A video posted by a reporter showed people watching the parade before gunshots were heard, causing people to flee.
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering wrote on Twitter that residents should avoid the downtown area, saying that there is a significant police response.
“Highland Park Police are responding to an incident in downtown Highland Park,” she wrote. “Fourth Fest has been canceled. Please avoid downtown Highland Park. More information will be shared as it becomes available.”
Witnesses Speak
One witness, Miles Zaremski, told CNN that he heard 20 to 25 shots being fired. At least one person was seen bloodied on the ground, he said.
“People started saying, ‘There’s a shooter, there’s a shooter, there a shooter,”‘ Debbie Glickman, a witness, told The Associated Press. “So we just ran. We just ran. It’s like mass chaos down there.”
Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) confirmed that he was attending the parade at the time of the shooting, saying he’s safe. Schneider did not provide any other details.
“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 wrote in a Twitter post. “My team and I are safe and secure. We are monitoring the situation closely and in touch with the Mayor.”
Schneider said he heard that several people died in the incident. The lawmaker appeared to suggest more gun-control measures are needed.
“Hearing of loss of life and others injured,” the lawmaker added. “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!”
Before the shooting, police in Chicago said that over the Fourth of July weekend, more than 50 people were shot, including nine fatally, across the city.
The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence says that Illinois has the eighth strictest gun laws in the United States. Meanwhile, Chicago has among the strictest gun laws of any city in the United States.
What are the chances this shooter had a history? People knew he was going to do this. But people mostly politicians go straight to “we need more gun control”! Was the gun his? Did he buy it legally? Did he have help? So many questions to answer but taking guns from citizens that are not criminals is not one I would support. To bad a good guy with a gun wasn’t there to stop him! Oh wait this is Chicago law abiding citizens aren’t allowed to carry. Only the criminals get away with that.