At least 38 people were shot and at least seven killed Monday morning in a shooting at Highland Park’s Independence Day parade. A person of interest has been apprehended.
A gunman opened fire from a rooftop into the Highland Park Independence Day parade Monday in a "completely random" attack that officials say killed at least six people and wounded dozens of others.
The situation continues to unfold.
Here's what we know so far about what happened. (Check back for the latest updates)
What We Know About the Shooting So Far
The shooting happened at 10:14 a.m. in the area of Central Avenue and 2nd Street in downtown Highland Park during the city's Fourth of July parade, authorities said.
In video posted on social media by parade attendees showing the moment of the shooting, several gunshots could be heard, followed by a pause and another round of gunfire. In some videos, more than 50 shots are heard.
Lake County Sheriff Sgt. Christopher Covelli said the gunman shot into the parade with a high-powered rifle from a rooftop.
A large police presence from the state and neighboring suburban Chicago departments was seen along the parade route.
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What We Know About the Victims
At least six people were killed and dozens of others were wounded.
Details are beginning to emerge about the victims killed and wounded.
NorthShore Highland Park Hospital said in a statement that the facility is treating 26 people, five of whom were transported to NorthShore Evanston Hospital.
"A vast majority suffered gunshot wounds and the remaining sustained injuries as a result of the ensuing chaos at the parade," NorthShore Highland Park Hospital said.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. David Baum, who attended the parade, helped treat those who were injured in the shooting.
"The bodies that I saw, it was not an image that anyone who's not a physician would have an easy time processing," said Dr. Baum.
"There were people who were immediately killed with horrific gunshot wounds."
What We Know About the Gunman
Police identified the person of interest in the shooting as 21-year-old Robert "Bobby" E. Crimo III. Crimo was taken into custody Monday evening following a police pursuit, but no charges had been filed as of Tuesday morning.
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.
Crimo, who police said is from the area but did not specify if he is from Highland Park, was believed to be driving a 2010 silver Honda Fit with the Illinois license plates DM80653. Video from NBC's Sky 5 chopper showed a vehicle of that make and model stopped at an intersection in Lake Forest with visible damage.
A heavy police and SWAT presence was seen hours earlier in an area where Crimo is believed to have lived, according to footage captured by NBC 5 in Highland Park.
The suspected gunman in the mass shooting was described by Highland Park police as a white man 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.
What We Know About the Motive
Police said the shooting appears "completely random" but also "intentional."
"By all means, at this point, this appears to be completely random," Covelli said.
Latest Guidance for Residents
Police had asked residents late Monday afternoon to remain sheltered in place in the area from Green Bay Road to Laurel, to St. Johns to Elm 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," officials said in an alert.
On Tuesday morning, police asked the public to avoid downtown Highland Park as investigation continues.
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."
Anyone with photos or video of the incident is being asked to turn it into police.
"Everyone in the Highland Park area is asked to report any suspicious activity by calling 911, or Highland Park Police at 847-432-7730," Covelli said. "To report any delayed information about this incident, the FBI has established a tipline at 800-CALL-FBI."
Those who were looking to reunite with family members after the parade were being asked to head to the Highland Park Reunification Center at the Highland Park Police Department at 1677 Old Deerfield Road.
Fourth of July Events Canceled Around the Area
As of Monday afternoon, Metra's Union Pacific North line through Highland Park was not running.
Independence Day parades and events across the north suburbs were canceled following the shooting.
"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."
Evanston also closed its swimming beaches "following this morning’s tragic shooting event in Highland Park."
Reaction From Officials
President Joe Biden in a statement Monday afternoon said he and First Lady Jill Biden "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," Biden said. "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. I recently signed the first major bipartisan gun reform legislation in almost thirty years into law, which includes actions that will save lives. But there is much more work to do, and I’m not going to give up fighting the epidemic of gun violence."
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."
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot called the shooting "devastating" and said Chicago police are helping with the response.
"The tragedy unfolding in Highland Park is devastating," Lightfoot said in a statement. "I have been in contact with Mayor Rotering and have offered our support, and the Chicago Police Department is providing assistance. We grieve with the families of the deceased and injured as well as the entire Highland Park community. Law enforcement is working hard to bring the shooter into custody. If anyone has information, we encourage them to call 911 and report what you know."
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said the county "stands with Lake County and the Highland Park community."
"While the situation remains fluid, we are standing by to support law enforcement and our neighbors to the north in any way we can," Preckwinkle said. "We will continue to monitor the situation and extend our resources and overall support to the people of Highland Park. We must, we all must, focus on stemming the flow of illegal guns and implementing common sense gun laws. My continued thoughts are with the families and loved ones who have lost someone and for everyone struggling to comprehend today’s latest senseless act of gun violence."
