Elderly Jewish man killed, Jewish community members injured * Large Jewish community in Highland Park * Police looking for shooter\
At least six people were killed and dozens injured at a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, the Lake County Sheriff’s office said.
ZAKA International said that there was one elderly Jewish man killed in the shooting, further Jewish community members were injured. The Midwest Israeli Consulate in the Midwest is in contact with authorities and the Jewish community.
According to Chabad, Highland Park has a large Jewish community, and the Chabad center was reportedly four blocks away from the site of the shooting.
“Law enforcement agencies are searching for the suspect; evidence of a firearm has been recovered.”
City of Highland Park
Police looking for the shooter
Police said that it was still an active incident, and were looking for the shooter. They described him as a white male around 20 years old, with long black hair and a small build, wearing a blue t-shirt.
“It does appear he was shooting from a roof,” Christopher Covelli of the Lake County sheriff’s office said, according to the Chicago Sun Times.
“I heard 20 to 25 shots, which were in rapid succession,” Miles Zaremski, a Highland Park resident, told the Sun-Times. “So it couldn’t have been just a handgun or a shotgun.”
“Law enforcement agencies are searching for the suspect; evidence of a firearm has been recovered,” said the city in a Monday evening statement. “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.”
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said that Fourth of July festivities had been canceled following the incident.
Police urged the public to stay out of the area and allow first responders and law enforcement to do their work.
“The City mourns the tragic loss and injury of those who came to celebrate with us today.”
City of Highland Park
Eye witness reports of a horrific scene
A reporter for the Chicago Sun Times said that they had seen blankets placed over bloodied bodies.
Video allegedly from the scene shows parade attendees fleeing when the shots were fired. A klezmer band is heard playing at the time of the shooting.
“Today a shooter struck in Highland Park during the Independence Day parade,” Congressman Brad Schneider said. “My campaign team and I were gathering at the start of the parade when the shooting started.”
A town in mourning
“Devastated to hear the news from Highland Park, where a day of celebration became a day of tragedy,” said Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid late Monday night. “My thoughts are with the families of the victims and all the American people. Today as always, Israel stands with our American friends.”
“I am following the horrible news from Highland Park.” said Yinam Cohen, Israeli consul general to the US midwest. “Our hearts and prayers are with the members of the community. We thank the local authorities for their immediate response.”
“The City mourns the tragic loss and injury of those who came to celebrate with us today,” said the Highland Park municipality. “We share in the grief of all mourning the loss of a loved one, and our hearts go out to everyone impacted by today’s events.”
This is a developing story.