From a rooftop high above the Highland Park Independence Day Parade, a gunman with a high-powered powered rifle started firing into the holiday crowd leaving at least six people dead and many others injured. The North Shore suburb of Highland Park became the latest American community to be terrorized by a mass shooting. On Monday evening, after an hours-long search, the authorities have taken a 22 ye22-year-oldr old Robert Bobby Crimo III into custody.

“On a day that we came together to celebrate community and freedom, we are instead mourning the tragic loss of life and struggling with the terror that was brought upon us," Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said.

Commander Chris O'Neill of the city's police said the shooting began around 10:14 am, as the parade was "approximately three-quarters of the way through."

"It sounds like spectators were targeted... So, very random, very intentional, and very sad," he also said.

He further stated that nearly 24 people had been hospitalised and six confirmed dead, adding that many of them had died at the scene, which was very large. The suspected shooter has been described as a white male aged 18-20 with long black hair, and was using a "high-powered rifle," O'Neill said.

He also added that "firearm evidence" had been located on a nearby rooftop, adding: "All indications say he was discreet, he was very difficult to see."
"All individuals are still urged to shelter in place at this time," he said.

President Joe Biden said that he and his wife Jill expressed shock over senseless gun violence that has yet again brought grief to an American community on this Independence Day. Biden said he had "surged federal law enforcement to assist in the urgent search for the shooter."

In his statement, Biden referred to bipartisan gun-reform legislation he signed recently but said much more needed to be done and added: "I’m not going to give up fighting the epidemic of gun violence."

Also Read: Who Is Robert Crimo, Prime Suspect In Chicago's July 4 Parade Shooting