Highland Park Parade Shooting

[Webster]

(RedState) In a still ongoing situation, onlookers fled after shots rang out during a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, a suburb near Chicago, IL. Early reports are often unreliable, but current information suggests at least nine people have been shot.



Police are looking for an assailant wearing a yellow-colored, military-style backpack. No further information is known at this time.

Highland Park is an affluent area about 25 miles away from downtown Chicago, making it unlikely the shooting is a result of the gang violence typically seen in the city. As of now, this appears to be a targeted attack with an intent to kill indiscriminately. RedState will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

 

[Webster]

 

[Webster]

(The Guardian) A shooting at Fourth of July parade in a Chicago suburb has seen multiple people killed and injured after someone opened fire on the celebrating marchers, local media has reported.

Authorities have not officially reported any casualties, but witnesses described seeing bloodied bodies apparently covered with blankets.

Local TV station WGN9 said at least two people had been killed, while the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper said that five people had been slain and at least 16 others injured in the shocking attack.

The parade began around 10 a.m. but was suddenly halted 10 minutes later after shots were fired. Hundreds of paradegoers – some visibly bloodied – fled the parade route, leaving behind chairs, baby strollers and blankets. A Sun-Times reporter saw blankets placed over three bloodied bodies.

Police told people: “Everybody disburse, please. It is not safe to be here.”

Debbie Glickman, a Highland Park resident, said she was on a parade float with coworkers and the group was prepared to turn on to the main route when she saw people running away from the area. “People started saying ‘There’s a shooter, there’s a shooter, there a shooter,’” Glickman told the Associated Press. “So we just ran. We just ran. It’s like mass chaos down there.”

She didn’t hear any noises or see anyone who appeared to be injured. “I’m so freaked out,” she said. “It’s just so sad.”

The Illinois governor, JB Pritzker, said in a statement: “My staff and I are closely monitoring the situation in Highland Park. State police are on the scene and we have made all state resources available to the community. We will continue working with local officials to help those affected.” Meanwhile, a local congressman, Brad Schneider, who was at the parade, said: “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.”

Schneider added: “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!”

The Lake county sheriff’s office said on Twitter that it is assisting Highland Park police “with a shooting in the area of the Independence Day parade route”. City leaders said on Twitter: “Police are responding to an incident in downtown Highland Park. Fourth Fest has been canceled. Please avoid downtown Highland Park. More information will be shared as it becomes available.”

The city said on its website that the parade would feature floats, marching bands, novelty groups, community entries and other special entertainment. A children’s bike and pet parade also was scheduled to start 30 minutes before the main parade.

 

[Webster]

 

[Webster]

(The Guardian) Biden condemns 'senseless act of violence' in Highland Park
In a new statement, Biden condemned the shooting in Highland Park as a “senseless act of violence” and vowed to deliver the “full support of the federal government to assist.” As the search continues for the gunman, Biden said he had “surged” the federal law enforcement response and was monitoring the situation closely. -- Jill and I are shocked by the senseless gun violence that has yet again brought grief to an American community on this Independence Day. As always, we are grateful for the first responders and law enforcement on the scene. I have spoken to Governor Pritzker and Mayor Rotering, and have offered the full support of the Federal government to their communities. I also surged federal law enforcement to assist in the urgent search for the shooter, who remains at large at this time.

Members of the community should follow guidance from leadership on the ground, and I will monitor closely as we learn more about those whose lives have been lost and pray for those who are in the hospital with grievous injuries.

Biden, who returned to Washington from Camp David earlier this afternoon to mark July 4th at the White House, noted in his statement that he recently signed into law a bipartisan bill that aims to keep firearms away from dangerous people. But he said it was not enough.

“I recently signed the first major bipartisan gun reform legislation in almost thirty years into law, which includes actions that will save lives,” he said. “But there is much more work to do, and I’m not going to give up fighting the epidemic of gun violence.”

 

[Webster]

(The Guardian) Authorities identify Robert “Bobby” E Crimo as "person of interest"
Robert “Bobby” E Crimo III, 22, has been identified as a person of interest in a massive manhunt for the gunman of a shooting at a Highland Park Independence Day parade that left at least six people dead.

Authorities believe he’s driving a 2010 silver Honda Fit. Deputy Chief Chris Covelli of the Lake county sheriff’s office said he is considered “armed and dangerous”. He goes by “Bobby” and is believed to be from the area, police said.

Covelli urged the public to be “very vigilant”.

Police were working to determine whether the person of interest was still in the area or had fled and were asking anyone with information to come forward, he said. Police said they would release photos shortly.

The next press conference is scheduled for 6pm local time and the governor is expected to attend.

 

[Nebulous]

Yikes!!! Why does this keep happening?