Panic erupted during a parade in suburban Chicago yesterday, showing social media footage and capturing the chaotic scenes as a gunman opened fire at a holiday crowd on US Independence Day.
Frightened onlookers were seen running for their lives – a man hastily pushed a pram away from what appeared to be the shooting direction. Cyclists paddled away to understand what the panic was about.
Multiple people were shot during the July 4 parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Illinois. At least 6 dead, 24 in hospital.
The suspect is a “young white man” with long black hair. Hundreds of officers are involved in the manhunt, police said. pic.twitter.com/ZLZwwxX0Vp
— Red (@RedCandleBaaad) July 4, 2022
Prams and other things were left on the other side of the road by spectators of the parade. Two people packed their personal belongings as they left the site, while gunshots could be heard in the background.
The mass shooting took place in the city of Highland Park in the US state of Illinois. It started at 10:14 a.m., police said. At least six people were killed, while two dozen people, including children, suffered gunshot wounds.
A suspect – identified as Robert Crimo, 22 – has been arrested. The gunman was armed with a “powerful rifle” and opened fire on the crowd from the roof of a nearby building, police said.
US President Joe Biden said he and his wife Jill were “shocked” by the senseless gun violence that has brought new grief to an American community on Independence Day.
(With inputs from AFP)