Details continue to emerge after a person opened fire on the Independence Day parade in Highland Park, a suburb north of Chicago, killing six people and injuring at dozens of others.
The man suspected in the shooting was arrested by police Monday evening, authorities said, hours after shots rang out at about 10:14 a.m. in the area of Central Avenue and 2nd Street in downtown Highland Park as families watched the city's Fourth of July parade.
Here are the latest updates:
Wednesday
1:30 p.m. From fundraisers, to gatherings, here are several ways you can help the local Highland Park community.
1 p.m.: More than $2 million has been raised for 2-year-old Aiden McCarthy, a young boy who has now an orphan after both of his parents were killed Monday.
11:55 a.m. Ravinia Festival announces all Ravinia concerts and events have been canceled or postponed through Sunday "out of a deep respect for our community," the venue announced. that the wake of the fatal mass shooting at Highland Park's Fourth of July parade.
11:30 a.m. Officials hold a press conference after the suspect's bond hearing, detailing the four guns that the suspect purchased in 2020, legally, with his father as his sponsor.
11 a.m. The alleged Highland Park gunman reportedly drove to Wisconsin shortly after the parade shooting and 'seriously contemplated' another shooting in Madison, police say at the suspect's bond hearing.
10:30 a.m. The shooting suspect appears in court and is denied bond ."He does in fact pose a specific threat to community therefore defendant will be held without bond," the judge said, of the suspect.
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7:47 a.m. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Officer has identified the seventh victim as 69-year-old Eduardo Uvaldo of Waukegan. Uvaldo suffered injuries during the mass shooting and was taken to Evanston Hospital.
Tuesday
1:49 p.m. A seventh person has died following the shooting, Lake County Major Crimes Task Force spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli confirmed. This victim however was pronounced in Cook County, and has not been identified.
12:40 p.m. NorthShore University HealthSystem said its hospitals in Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park and Skokie treated a total of 39 patients "who arrived by either ambulance or other means yesterday as a result of the parade shooting."
The healthcare system said nine patients remained hospitalized as of Tuesday afternoon, ranging in age from 14 to 70s.
"Four are in good condition; another four are in stable condition; and one patient, a 69-year old male, is in critical condition at Evanston Hospital with a gunshot wound," NorthShore said.
Eight of the nine patients still hospitalized suffered gunshot wounds, officials said.
Among the patients were an 8-year old boy who was transported to University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital and one patient who died while receiving critical care in the Highland Park Hospital Emergency Department, officials said.
12:05 p.m. Police released new details Tuesday on how a mass shooting at the Highland Park Independence Day Parade unfolded, saying the suspected gunman had been planning the attack "for several weeks" and dressed as a woman to help flee the scene.
Lake County Major Crimes Task Force spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli said the 21-year-old suspect had legally purchased a high-powered rifle before he climbed a fire escape at a business along the suburban Chicago parade route and fired more than 70 times from the rooftop.
"We do believe [the suspect] pre-planned this attack for several weeks," Covelli said. "He brought a high-powered rifle to this parade, he accessed the roof of a business via a fire escape ladder and began opening fire on the innocent Independence Day celebration goers."
Read the full update here.
11:06 a.m. As fund-raising accounts are set up for families of victims in the shooting, the Better Business Bureau released a statement urging donors "to take appropriate steps to avoid questionable appeals that seek to take advantage of this generosity."
"First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with all the families impacted by this heartbreaking and senseless act," said Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the BBB serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “While most people are inherently good, some individuals may set up scams to exploit grieving families. There is a degree of urgency to help assist the families, but some caution is necessary. ... Don’t assume that everyone using the names and/or photos of victims has received permission from families to do so. Be cautious about appeals that don’t identify the intended use of funds."
10 a.m.: Lake County and Highland Park authorities announce plans for a press briefing at 11 a.m.
"The briefing will serve to provide an update into the events of the Independence Day mass shooting," officials said in a release.
Watch live in the player above at that time (you may need to refresh this page closer to the start of the briefing).
8 a.m.: Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest confirmed around 8 a.m. Tuesday that their hospital also treated nine patients, five of which were discharged Monday. Six of the nine people suffered gunshot-related wounds while three suffered fall-related injuries. The gunshot victims were all adults, the hospital said, but the ages of the others weren't immediately known. All were listed in fair to good condition, according to Chief of Media Relations Chris King.
6:44 a.m. Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said on NBC's "Today" that while she is currently waiting for charges against the person of interest in the shooting, her greater focus this morning "is how my community is feeling, the unbelievable sadness, the unbelievable shock. This tragedy never should’ve arrived at our doorsteps."
Rotering revealed that she knew the suspect from her time as a Cub Scout leader and she wonders, "How did somebody become this angry, this hateful, to then take it out on innocent people who literally were just having a family day out?"
Rotering talked about hearing from mayors of towns who have experienced their own gun violence tragedies, and said she told them yesterday, "I never thought I would be one of those mayors. Well, none of us ever think we will be one of those mayors."
6 a.m.: Police ask public to avoid downtown Highland Park as investigation continues.
5:30 a.m.: NorthShore University HealthSystem confirmed just after 5:30 a.m. Tuesday that a total of 38 people sought treatment from their hospitals following the shooting. By Tuesday morning, eight patients were still receiving treatment. The hospital had no updates on their conditions.
Monday
10:18 p.m. Nicolas Toledo, 78, was identified as one of the victims fatally shot in Highland Park's mass shooting, NBC 5 confirmed. Jacki Sundheim was also identified among the victims. Her synagogue, North Shore Congregation Israel, said she was a "cherished member" of their staff for decades, writing "there are no words sufficient to express the depth of our grief for Jacki’s death and sympathy for her family and loved ones." More on what we know about the victims here.
9:30 p.m.: The Chicago Teachers Union reports Dever Elementary teacher Zoe Kolpack and her husband were among the victims wounded in the shooting. "They were with their two children, who were unharmed," the union wrote while sharing a fundraising page for the family.
8:55 p.m. NBC 5 Investigates discovered new information on the 21-year-old suspect taken into custody in relation to the Highland Park Fourth of July parade mass shooting, and how police found him.
At some point on Monday, he was dressed as a woman, the investigative team found. However, it is unclear if he was at the time he was arrested.
The man was identified due to the rapid trace by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which took DNA recovered from the rifle found at the scene.
The Investigates team also found the 21-year-old's extensive online presence, which contains "disturbing" imagery, videos and posts.
8:39 p.m. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said her "heart aches for the people of Highland Park" in a statement released Tuesday, adding that "we must continue to lift up this community, the victims, and their families in prayer."
"Thanks to the heroic efforts of law enforcement, a person of interest in the horrific Highland Park mass shooting is in custody. I hope this provides a bit of solace to those who are deeply grieving tonight in the wake of today's unspeakable tragedy," Lightfoot said.
"Gun violence does not respect geographic boundaries or socioeconomic differences. It is a plague that affects us all. Whether it is Back of the Yards, Englewood, West Garfield Park, Uvalde, Buffalo, or now Highland Park, none of us are immune, and all are vulnerable without a federal effort to take weapons of war out of the hands of civilians. It can be done, it must be done, and we must continue to move toward that goal with all deliberate speed. We cannot be truly free unless we are relentlessly brave."
8:15 p.m. A prayer service was held at a synagogue located at 874 Central Avenue for the victims and families of the Highland Park's deadly mass shooting.
8:01 p.m. The City of Highland Park, the Park District of Highland Park, Highland Park High School two area high school districts issued a statement Monday night, saying they are grieving with the families and that counseling professions are available at school from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday.
6:44 p.m. The 21-year-old person of interest connected to the Highland Park Independence Day parade mass shooting that left at least six people dead and approximately two dozen others "seriously injured" Monday morning has been arrested, police said.
Police said the suspect was taken into custody following a police pursuit that ended in north suburban Lake Forest.
Authorities said Crimo's vehicle was located in North Chicago and officers attempted to stop him before he fled the scene, leading police on a brief pursuit before coming to a stop.
He was taken into custody "without incident," police said. He was being taken to the Highland Park Police Department for questioning, but no charges had been filed as of 6:50 p.m.
5:42 p.m. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker spoke to media, saying, "There are no words for the kind of evil that shows up at a public celebration of freedom hides on a roof and shoots innocent people with an assault rifle."
"There are no words I can offer to lessen the pain of those families who will no longer associate the Fourth of July with celebration, but instead with grief," Pritzker said, adding, "It is devastating that a celebration of America was ripped apart by our uniquely American plague."
Sen. Tammy Duckworth said in the same media address that when she listened to the sound of the gunfire in one of the videos, "the last time I heard a weapon with that capacity, firing that rapidly on a Fourth of July was Iraq. It was not the United States."
5:38 p.m. Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering called today "a terribly difficult day and the bloodiest that we've experienced in Highland Park."
"Our community, like so many before us, is devastated. It's impossible to imagine the pain of this kind of tragedy until you're confronted with that gun violence. ... It's a crisis that devastates entire families and communities in a single moment. And we know it's going to take a long, long time if ever to heal. Again, I want to extend my thanks to the people and resources for moving this investigation forward. And we all look forward to bringing this individual to justice. On behalf of the City of Highland Park, our hearts are broken for the victims and their families. As we always do, we support each other. We are Highland Park strong."
4:53 p.m. Police have identified the person of interest in the shooting as 21-year-old Robert "Bobby" E Crimo III. Crimo is believed to be driving a 2010 silver Honda Fit with the Illinois license plates DM80653.
"He is considered armed and dangerous," Covelli said. "The community should not approach him if they see him, know his whereabouts."
4:42 p.m. The FBI Chicago Public Affairs Team said the shooting in Highland Park "remains an active and ongoing investigation."
"FBI-Chicago is requesting that any individuals with information regarding the shooting incident in Highland Park, IL on July 4, 2022 please submit the information to: 1-800-CALLFBI."
4:23 p.m. Doctors from NorthShore Highland Park Hospital said 25 of their patients "sustained gunshot wound injuries." Nineteen patients were treated and discharged. Ages of patients range between 8 and 85 years old. About four of five of them are kids.
4:12 p.m. SWAT team members are seen in an area of Highland Park walking between houses. We are not revealing where they are located out of an abundance of caution. It remains unclear if this incident is connected to the parade shooting.
3:23 p.m. Police continue looking for the gunman and ask residents in the area from Green Bay Road to Laurel, to St. Johns to Elm Place to remain sheltered in place. "Individuals outside of this area no longer need to shelter in place, however we urge everyone to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious behavior."
Police said five adults were pronounced dead on the scene at the parade after the shooting and one adult died at a nearby hospital. About two dozen people were seriously injured in the shooting.
There is no indication there is more than one gunman, police said.
2:55 p.m. President Joe Biden said he was "shocked," but grateful for first responders in wake of the mass shooting in Highland Park.
"Jill and I are shocked by the senseless gun violence that has yet again brought grief to an American community on this Independence Day," Biden said. "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."
2:07 p.m. Police say the gunman shot into the parade with a high-powered rifle from a rooftop. Authorities are still working to locate the man, they said. "All indications is he was discreet, and he was very difficult to see," Covelli said of the position of the shooter on a rooftop.
Anyone with photos or video of the incident is being asked to turn them into police.
"We're asking anybody with any video surveillance that they may have, please review your cell phones," Covelli said. "If you were snapping pictures in the area of Second and Central today, that could help investigators. They may see something in there that may be useful and allow them to proceed further with the investigation. Any business owners in that area we're asking, please, review your video surveillance. If you have any video surveillance of that area at that time, even if you don't see anything in there, we would love to be able to take a look at that so we can further our investigation."
2 p.m. SWAT team members are seen escorting people from the businesses where they were sheltered in place.
1:40 p.m. Those who are looking to reunite with family members after the parade are being asked to head to the Highland Park Reunification Center at the Highland Park Police Department at 1677 Old Deerfield Road.
1:36 p.m. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker asked for prayers for the families of the deceased and for those who were injured in the shooting.
"There are no words for the kind of monster who lies in wait and fires into a crowd of families with children celebrating a holiday with their community," Pritzker said in a statement. "There are no words for the kind of evil that robs our neighbors of their hopes, their dreams, their futures. There are no words I can offer to lift the pain of those they leave behind. Please know that our state grieves with you, that MK and I grieve with you."
1:20 p.m. In separate social media videos of the incident, several gunshots can be heard during the shooting, followed by a pause and another round of gunfire. In some videos, more than 50 shots are heard.
12:54 p.m. Six people were killed and at at least two dozen others were seriously injured during the shooting, Highland Park police say.
The gunman, whose identity and whereabouts are unknown, is described by police as a white man between 18 and 20 years old with a small build and "longer" black hair. He is wearing a white or blue T-shirt, according to Highland Park Police Cmdr. Chris O'Neill.
"We're asking everybody to stay indoors," said Lake County Sheriff Sgt. Christopher Covelli. "Stay vigilant right now. This person has not identified. By all means, at this point, this appears to be completely random."
Covelli said the gunman shot into the parade with a rifle from a rooftop. He said police are working to locate the man.
"Investigators are very, very quickly working to try to identify who this person is, and try to figure out where he's at," Covelli said.
Everyone in the Highland Park area is being asked to report suspicious activity by calling 911 or the Highland Park Police Department at 847-432-7730. The FBI also has established a tip line at 800-CALL-FBI.
12:40 p.m. NorthShore Highland Park Hospital said it is treating 26 individuals and five have been transported to NorthShore Evanston Hospital.
12:21 p.m. The city of Highland Park releases a statement saying Highland Park Police "are responding to an active shooter incident that occurred in downtown Highland Park during the 4th of July parade. This is an active incident. All individuals are advised to shelter in place. Law enforcement agencies are searching for the suspect; evidence of a firearm has been recovered. Numerous law enforcement officers are responding and have secured a perimeter around downtown Highland Park. 16 people have been transferred to the hospital; 5 individuals are confirmed deceased."
12:05 p.m. More suburbs cancel Fourth of July events in the wake of the shooting.
11:48 a.m. Larry Bloom, a resident who was in the area when shots began, tells NBC Chicago that at first he thought the "popping" sound was part of the parade.
"You heard like a 'pop, pop, pop,' and I think everybody kinda thought maybe it was a display on one of the floats and then it just opened up," Bloom said.
"I was screaming and people were screaming," Bloom said. "They were panicking and and they were just scattering and I, you know, we didn't know. You know, it was right on top of us."
11:28 a.m. Multiple suburban Chicago communities cancel parades and fireworks displays and close beaches.
11:05 a.m. The Lake County Sheriff tweet that they are "assisting Highland Park Police with a shooting in the area of the Independence Day parade route. STAY OUT OF THE AREA - allow law-enforcement and first responders to do their work."
10:45 a.m. The city of Highland Park say police "are responding to an incident in downtown Highland Park. Fourth Fest has been canceled. Please avoid downtown Highland Park."
10:20 a.m. Reports of the shooting emerge on Twitter.
10:14 a.m. Shots ring out during the Highland Park Independence Day parade in the area Central Avenue and 2nd Street, according to police. Highland Park police ran toward the gunfire, at which time the gunman ceased fire, Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said during a press briefing later in the day.
