On the Fourth of July, a shooter began firing during a parade in Highland Park, Illinois, in yet another American mass shooting. According to official tweets from the local sheriff’s office that six individuals were murdered and 24 were injured.
The Highland Park Police Department named 22-year-old Robert “Bobby” E. Crimo III as a “person of interest” in the attack early Monday evening. He was later taken into prison, according to officials.
During the search, officials stated Crimo was driving a 2010 Silver Honda Fit with the Illinois licence plate DM 80653.
The FBI’s pictures of the car reveal obvious damage to the back of the car. Crimo should be regarded as “armed and dangerous,” according to the FBI.
The #FBI is assisting with the search for Robert E. Crimo, III, sought for his alleged involvement in the shooting of multiple people at a July 4, 2022, parade in Highland Park, Illinois. He may drive a 2010 Silver Honda Fit with Illinois plates DM80653: https://t.co/8RJLbCgyJQ pic.twitter.com/7t2soP3J3V
— FBI Most Wanted (@FBIMostWanted) July 4, 2022
Earlier in the day, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office stated that police from numerous agencies were looking for a white guy between the ages of 18 and 20. He was previously characterised as having “length black hair” and a “small physique.” He was “dressed in a white or blue tee shirt,” according to the sheriff’s office.
— Lake County Sheriff (@LakeCoILSheriff) July 4, 2022
According to authorities, the man left behind a “high-powered firearm.”
NEW: Police say it was a “high-powered rifle.”
— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) July 4, 2022
Police say, it sounds like the spectators and bystanders as well as parade participants were targeted.
The attack allegedly occurred minutes after the celebrations began at 10 a.m. on Monday. According to The Lake & McHenry County Scanner, written before Crimo was recognized as a “prime suspect,” witnesses alleged to see the gunman, identifying him as being on the roof of Uncle Dan’s Camping and Travel at 621 Central Avenue. According to the report, the incident occurred around Second Street and Central Avenue.
A journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times saw “blankets covering three bleeding victims and five other individuals injured and bloodied near the parade’s reviewing stand.”
Witness Miles Zaremski told the newspaper that he heard 20 to 25 rounds fired in fast succession. Therefore, it couldn’t have been a pistol or a shotgun.
He claimed to have seen individuals in that region who were shot, including a woman who died.
“Everyone please disperse,” the cops shouted. “It’s dangerous to be here.”
A video circulating on the internet shows individuals fleeing the sound of gunfire during the march.
Active shooter in Highland Park, IL. Avoid Central Ave. My nephew recorded this video. pic.twitter.com/nUFRElrVZi
— eNreeKaii (@Ri_Kayyy) July 4, 2022
In a tweet, Mayor Nancy Rotering said, “Highland Park Police are responding to an incident in downtown Highland Park.” “The Fourth Fest has been cancelled. Please stay away from downtown Highland Park. More details will be released when they become available.”
Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker stated, ”My team and I are keeping a close eye on the scenario in Highland Park. State police are on the site, and we have offered all available state resources to the community. We will continue to collaborate with local governments to assist those harmed.”
The Illinois State Police is presently aiding Highland Park PD with an active shooter incident that happened at the Highland Park Parade, as per a tweet from the Illinois State Police. “The public is urged to avoid the Highland Park neighbourhood of Central Avenue and 2nd Street.”
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office advised residents to avoid the firing location.
Other Fourth of July activities were cancelled in the neighbouring community of Deerfield to the west, as well as in a number of other communities.
The person of interest is currently in jail, according to authorities.