Independence Day parade in front of hundreds of panicked rejoicers fired from rooftops outside Chicago So, at first, I sprayed the crowd with gunshots that were mistaken for fireworks. People of all ages fled in fear. At least 6 people were killed and at least 30 were injured.
An hour-long manhunt, where residents throw themselves into business or get police escorts to their homes, was detained Monday night when authorities described a man as a person of interest. It ended with a traffic stop and a short chase. They did not identify the motive for the attack at Highland Park, a wealthy community of about 30,000 people on the North Shore of Chicago.
The July 4th shooting was the latest to shatter the rituals of American life. Schools, churches, grocery stores, and now community parades have all become hitmen in recent months. This time, bloodshed came when the country tried to find a reason to celebrate its founding and the bonds that still connect it.
"It's definitely going to be a big blow, not just in your hometown, but in front of you," said Resident Rontu Azon, who returned to the parade route on Monday night to pick up chairs and blankets. I said when. And a child's bike that he and his family abandoned when the shooting began.
"It's now commonplace," Tuazon said. "We won't blink anymore. It will be more the same until the law changes."
Shooting took place somewhere on the parade route, for the annual celebration, Many residents were betting a major perspective early in the day.
Among them was the family of Nicholas Toledo, who was in his late 70s and came from Mexico when he was shot. He died on the scene and his granddaughter Xochil Toledo told the Chicago Sun-Times. Also, Jackie Sandheim, a lifelong congregation and "beloved" staff member of the nearby North Shore congregation Israel, was killed and announced her death on the website.
Dozens of bullets have fled hundreds of parade participants, some visibly bloody. They left traces of abandoned items that suddenly and violently disrupted everyday life. A box of chocolate cookies spilled onto the grass. Children's Chicago Cubs cap. Strollers, American flags, children's bicycles.
"There is no safe place," said Barbara Hart, 73, a resident of Highland Park, who was away from the parade for fear of mass shootings, but later ventured from her home. Told.
Highland Park Police Chief Lou Jogmen said police officers were about five miles north of the shooting site hours after police released a photo of a man and an image of his silver Honda Fit. He said he pulled a Robert E. Climo III. He warned the public that he was armed and likely to be dangerous. Officials initially said he was 22 years old, but FBI breaking news and Climo's social media said he was 21 years old. Providing information publicly was a significant step.
Christopher Coveli, a spokesman for the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, said at a news conference that "some of the dead victims" died on the scene, one being taken to a hospital and there. He said he died.
Police have not released details about the victims, but Toledo's granddaughter told the Sun Times that Toledo spent most of his life in Morelos, Mexico. Xochil Toledo said he remembers seeing his grandfather when the band had his grandfather play music.
"He was very happy," she said. "At that moment he is happy to be alive."
Xochil Toledo said her father was shot in his arm as she tried to protect her grandfather. Her boyfriend was also uncertain if there were enough ambulances for all the victims, so she was shot behind and taken to a nearby hospital by someone.
Mexico's director of North American affairs, Roberto Velasco, said on Twitter that two Mexicans were also injured.
Sandheim spent decades on staff in the North Shore Congregation Israel, teaching in congregation kindergartens and later serving as event and Buneimitsu bar coordinator. In that statement announcing her death.
"Jackie's work, kindness, and warmth impressed us all," the statement said.
Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek said the five killed in the parade were adults, but there was no information about the sixth victim.
The NorthShore University Health Center accepted 26 patients after the attack. Dr. Brigham Temple, head of emergency preparedness, said all but one had a gunshot wound. Their age ranged from 8 to 85 years, and Temple estimated that 4 or 5 were children.
"It's devastating that the American celebration was torn apart by our unique American plague," Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said at a press conference.
"We celebrate July 4th only once a year, but shootings are weekly-yes, weekly-an American tradition."
Associated -Press / USA TODAY / According to the Northeastern University Mass Murder Database, there have been 15 shootings since January that have killed more than four people, including shootings at Highland Park.
Authorities said the shooters fired at about 10:15 am when the parade passed about three-quarters.
Chris O'Neil, commander of the Highland Park police, who is the commander of the incident at the scene, said the gunman used a "powerful rifle" to fire from above a commercial building. .. He said the rifle was recovered on-site. Police also found a ladder attached to the building.
President Joe Biden said on Monday that he and his first lady, Jill Biden, were "shocked by the meaningless gun violence that once again brought sadness to the American community on this Independence Day." Said.
Recently, Biden signed the most widespread gun violence bill passed by Congress in decades. The compromise has simultaneously demonstrated both the development of long and unmanageable problems and the deep-seated division of the faction.
Kurimo, dubbed Bobby, was an ambitious rapper for the stage name Awake the Rapper, posting dozens of videos and songs on social media, some of which were ominous and violent. ..
One animated video since it was deleted on YouTube depicts a man pointing at a rifle, a body standing on the ground, and another person raising his hand in the distance. , Kurimo wraps about an army "walking in the dark". ..
In another video, Kurimo appears in the classroom wearing a black bicycle helmet. He states: "Everything is connected to this. Even myself can't stop me at all."
Long-time delicatessen owner Bob, the father of Climo, was high in 2019. He ran for the mayor of Landpark and failed by calling himself a "person for the people."
Highland Park is a close community on the shores of Lake Michigan, home to rich and sometimes famous mansions and vast lakeside mansions, including the NBA legend Michael Jordan. When he played for the Chicago Bulls. John Hughes shot some of the city's films, including "Ferris Bueller's Day Suddenly," "Suteki na Katao," and "Weird Science."
Gina Troiani and her son with his day care class ready to walk on the parade route until they hear people yelling about the shooter when they hear a loud noise that they believe is fireworks. It was lined up.
"We just start running in the opposite direction," she told The Associated Press.
Troiani said he pushed her five-year-old son's bike and ran through the neighborhood back into the car.
"It was a kind of mess," she said. "Some were looking away from their families. Some dropped the wagon and grabbed their kids and started running."
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Foody contributed from Chicago. Associated Press writer Mike Balsamo of New York, David König of Dallas, Jeff Martin of Woodstock, Georgia, Fabiola Sanchez of Monterrey, Mexico, Jim Mustian of New Orleans, Bernard Condon of New York, High. Report contributed by Martha Irvine and Mike Householder of Landpark.
