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The celebration of Independence Day in the United States is rarely without incident. In 2021, riots swept across the country during the holiday. The reasons for the riots are mostly political, as Democrats and Republicans view the holiday differently. This year, six people were killed in the U.S. during the Independence Day parade.
The incident occurred on the outskirts of Chicago. An unknown man opened fire on a crowd in the city of Highland Park, killing 6 people and wounding 20 (or according to witnesses, 24). After the shooting ended, local authorities canceled celebrations in the city and nearby townships.
Local media reported that the shooting came from the roof of a high-rise building. The parade began at 10 a.m. local time and the shooting took place 10 minutes later. At 11 a.m. the gunman was reportedly still firing. Hundreds of parade participants, some with blood on their hands, fled, leaving chairs, strollers and blankets behind.
According to city officials, law enforcement is still searching for the suspect, the perimeter around downtown has been cordoned off and firearms have been recovered. Police Officer Chris O’Neil said the shooter was a male, 18 to 20 years old, and was wearing a white or blue T-shirt. A rifle was found at the scene. It is likely that the shooter is still armed and dangerous.
The Highland Park website posted an announcement, “Law enforcement is busy searching for the perpetrator, evidence of a firearm was found at the scene. Multiple police officers have arrived on scene and have cordoned off the perimeter of Highland Park.”
A local eyewitness said, “I heard 20 to 25 shots go off one after the other, so it could have been a gun and a shotgun.”
For his part, the mayor of Highland Park said that the parade had been cancelled and also suggested that those gathered leave the danger zone.
This is not the first shooting in Chicago in July. On July 2, four more people were killed and 18 others were injured in the city. Two men, aged 25 and 29, were killed that day. Also in other incidents, 2 people were fatally wounded, one was 17 years old and the other was 26 years old. Chicago police noted that July was very difficult in terms of public safety.
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