Mass panic ensued as the sound of gunshots erupted during a Fourth of July Parade in the northern Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Illinois Monday morning. Several people are reported to have been shot in the attack. A witness said one victim was killed. Nearby towns have canceled their parades as a caution against similar attacks.
From a normal parade to panic in seconds:
A young boy filming the parade captured the moment the gunshots were heard and the ensuing chaos.
Active shooter in Highland Park, IL. Avoid Central Ave. My nephew recorded this video. pic.twitter.com/nUFRElrVZi
— eNreeKaii (@Ri_Kayyy) July 4, 2022
Another video captured a burst of gunfire:
https://twitter.com/worked4my2cents/status/1543992877621153805
UPDATE: WGN-TV reports at least tow dead, per sources, “Here’s the latest on the 4th of July parade shooting in Highland Park, IL: * At least 2 dead * Multiple injuries * Suspect still on the loose”
Here's the latest on the 4th of July parade shooting in Highland Park, IL:
* At least 2 dead
* Multiple injuries
* Suspect still on the loose https://t.co/z2AztUVWXh @WGNNews— Ben Bradley (@BenBradleyTV) July 4, 2022
WLS-TV reported a man was seen shooting from a building (excerpt):
Sources said the person could be shooting from atop a high building.
The parade route was near Central Avenue and Second Street.
The parade was stopped about 10 minutes after it kicked off at 10 a.m. when shots were fired, striking an unknown number of parade-goers and sending hundreds of people running for safety.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported on the attack (excerpt):
The Highland Park Fourth of July parade ended in panic when shots were fired about 10 minutes after the parade kicked off at 10 a.m. Monday, striking an unknown number of parade-goers and sending hundreds of people running for safety.
Multiple people were shot. A Chicago Sun-Times reporter saw blankets covering three bloodied bodies and five other people wounded and bloodied near the parade’s reviewing stand.
Several witnesses said they heard multiple shots fired. One witness said he counted more than 20 shots.
Miles Zaremski, a Highland Park resident, told the Sun-Times: “I heard 20 to 25 shots, which were in rapid succession. So it couldn’t have been just a handgun or a shotgun.
Zaremski said that after the shots at Central Avenue around Second Avenue in downtown Highland Park, he saw “people in that area that got shot,” including “a woman covered with blood . . . She did not survive.””
Veteran Sun-Times reporter Lynn Sweet posted from the scene: “Bloodbath.”
Bloodbath at #Highland Park July 4th parade.. I was there.. story at @suntimes pic.twitter.com/zuUQMO7Dxy
— Lynn Sweet (@lynnsweet) July 4, 2022
My video.. I was at #Highland Park parade.. Terrified people fleeing July 4th parade when shooting started. pic.twitter.com/DSe0NJOuem
— Lynn Sweet (@lynnsweet) July 4, 2022
WGN-TV anchor Dan Ponce, “Witnesses say the shooter was on the roof of Uncle Dan’s and fired into parade. 5 or 6 shots, then a pause, then 5 or 6 more shots. The shooter is still at large and North Shore residents are being asked to stay inside…No police activity at Sunset Foods. Gunman remains at large. North Shore residents are still being told to remain indoors.”
Witnesses say the shooter was on the roof of Uncle Dan’s and fired into parade. 5 or 6 shots, then a pause, then 5 or 6 more shots. The shooter is still at large and North Shore residents are being asked to stay inside. #highlandpark @WGNNews
— Dan Ponce (@DanPonceTV) July 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/DanPonceTV/status/1544001592017539072
Nearby towns canceling their Independence Day parades:
Deerfield, Illinois, “Due to a shooting in Highland Park, Family Days activities at Jewett Park have been cleared and the parade is canceled. Please share that the parade activities are canceled with your family and friends.”
Due to a shooting in Highland Park, Family Days activities at Jewett Park have been cleared and the parade is canceled. Please share that the parade activities are canceled with your family and friends.
— Village of Deerfield (@Deerfield_IL) July 4, 2022
Parade in Glenview canceled:
https://twitter.com/RyanBakerMedia/status/1543996293231558660
Evanston cancels, “Due to a tragic mass shooting that took place earlier this morning in Highland Park, the City of Evanston will be canceling this year’s 4th of July Parade and celebrations effective immediately due to an abundance of caution.”
Due to a tragic mass shooting that took place earlier this morning in Highland Park, the City of Evanston will be canceling this year’s 4th of July Parade and celebrations effective immediately due to an abundance of caution. https://t.co/aDUPRmuhdl pic.twitter.com/ucd0BRE4nO
— City of Evanston (@CityofEvanston) July 4, 2022
