At least 6 killed in July 4th parade shooting in Illinois
By Aditi Sangal, Elise Hammond, Maureen Chowdhury and Mike Hayes, CNN
Investigation will "remain very active" as police continue to search for Highland Park shooting suspect
Sgt. Christopher Covelli, from the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, said the investigation is still active and will continue to be active while law enforcement officers work to find the alleged shooter and uncover what happened.
"This is two-pronged at this time — number one, we are aggressively looking for the individual who's responsible for this shooting. Number two, we have the criminal investigation that is occurring simultaneously," he said.
"This is very active and it's going to remain very active for the time to come," Covelli added.
He said police are working with the FBI and there are more than 100 law enforcement officers on the scene. He urged people to look through their phones and see if they have any photos or videos from the time the shooting started. He said any material could help police.
"Please understand we can't give away certain aspects of the investigation, we don't want to negatively impact... We want to arrest the offender and hold him accountable for his actions," Covelli said at a news conference on Monday.
Cmdr. Chris O'Neil, of the Highland Park Police, said the rifle that was found was discovered on a rooftop. Earlier Monday, officials said they could not disclose specifically where the rifle was found. Police say they believe the shooter appeared to fire shots from a rooftop.
No known threats to Chicago at this time as authorities continue to monitor situation in Highland Park
From CNN’s Joe Sutton
The City of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) and the Chicago Police are monitoring the incident that has taken place in Highland Park this morning. They said there are "no known threats" to Chicago at this time.
“OEMC and the @Chicago_Police are monitoring the incident that has taken place in Highland Park. While there are no known threats to Chicago at this time, we continue to maintain situational awareness of activity and events taking place throughout the City of Chicago,” the Chicago OEMC said in a tweet this afternoon.
The emergency management office went on to say in a tweet “Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and injured as well as with the entire Highland Park Community.”
Chicago is about 25 miles south of Highland Park.
City of Evanston closes all beaches and cancels fireworks show out of an abundance of caution
From CNN's Dave Alsup
The City of Evanston, Illinois, closed all beaches and canceled the evening fireworks out of an abundance of caution, according to the city’s official Twitter page.
Evanston is south of Highland Park.
See the tweets:
Suspect is considered armed and dangerous, officials say
From CNN’s Joe Sutton and Claudia Dominguez
Highland Park Police is leading the investigation and the Lake County Major Crime Task Force is working directly with the FBI, said the task force spokesperson Chris Covelli in a news conference on Monday.
The suspect is still considered to be armed and dangerous and that there is no indication that he is barricaded anywhere or has any hostages, Covelli said.
He did not disclose the ages of those killed in the shooting, adding that local officials are working with the coroners’ office.
At least six people were killed in the Highland Park Independence Day Parade shooting, officials confirmed. At least 31 have been taken to area hospitals, CNN's Brynn Gingras reported.
Illinois lawmaker says he is still sheltering in Highland Park while police search for alleged shooter
Rep. Brad Schneider, who lives in Highland Park, Illinois, and represents the state's 10th Congressional District, says he is still sheltering while police look for the alleged shooter who killed six people at a 4th of July parade.
Schneider said everyone is staying inside and waiting to hear from authorities who are just beginning their investigation. There is a perimeter around the downtown area and residents are urged to stay indoors, officials said at a news conference on Monday.
The lawmaker said he participates in several parades on the 4th of July and was just getting into town when shots were fired and he and his team were "told to detour."
"Everyone scattered and ran. As I was going around, I came across a group of young kids who were trying to call their parents to say they were okay, so I stopped and offered to let them use my phone," he told CNN.
He said the community "will come together."
"We will find strength in the support of each other, but it's going to take a while to recover and heal," Schneider said.
Witness describes people "stampeding away" when the shooting started
Lynn Sweet, the Washington Bureau Chief for the Chicago Sun-Times, described a chaotic scene at the 4th of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, where a gunman killed at least six people.
Sweet said she was at the parade and saw people "stampeding away" from where she was standing, yelling that someone was shooting. She said she went back towards where people were running from and saw "multiple people shot."
"This has always been a community highlight, a thing that brings everybody together, and then the shooting started and everybody just ran, not knowing what to do," Sweet said.
She said walked through the streets of the parade, she saw backpacks and baby carriages left on the ground as people ran away.
Watch a video Sweet took when the shooting started.
Here's where the Highland Park shooting took place
At least six people have been killed in a shooting in downtown Highland Park, Illinois, in the area of a July 4th parade, authorities said.
At least 31 people have been transported to area hospitals, CNN's Brynn Gingras reported.
Here's a look at the area where the shooting unfolded:
At least 31 people with injuries from Highland Park shooting have been transported to area hospitals
From CNN’s Brynn Gingras
At least 26 individuals were transported to NorthShore Highland Park Hospital, according to spokesperson Jim Anthony with the NorthShore University Health System.
Five other individuals were transported to NorthShore Evanston Hospital which is a level one trauma facility.
The two facilities are 30 minutes or 12 miles apart.
At least 20 additional doctors were brought into the Highland Park facility in a short time to respond to the shooting, according to Anthony.
The “vast majority” of victims suffered gunshot wounds according to NorthShore University Health System spokesperson Jim Anthony.
There were some injuries caused by the chaos following the shooting.
Highland Park mayor urges residents to remain indoors and on "high alert" as situation is still "active"
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering addressed residents following the deadly Fourth of July parade shooting, urging them to remain on "high alert" as the situation continues to be "active."
"What we know at this time is this is an active situation and we urge everyone to remain indoors and be on high alert, but remain calm. Please contact your loved ones and ensure that they're safe and let them know that you're safe as well. This situation, as you know, is evolving rapidly and we will continue to update you as we gain information and stabilize the situation," the mayor said.
Rotering said the shooting "terrorized" the community and she sent her condolences to those impacted.
"This morning at 10:14, our community was terrorized by an act of violence that has shaken us to our core. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims during this devastating time. On a day that we came together to celebrate community and freedom, we're instead mourning the tragic loss of life and struggling with the terror that was brought upon us," Rotering said.
The mayor also thanked the first responders who were on scene during the shooting.
Police have recovered rifle from scene and believe suspect was shooting from a roof, official says
Sgt. Christopher Covelli, from the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, said police have recovered a rifle from the scene of the deadly shooting at a 4th of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois.
Covelli said he could not release details about where the gun was found, but he said it did appear that the shooter was "shooting from a roof," but did not have information about which roof specifically.
The official said the suspect is not in custody, adding that it is a very active scene and that at this point, the shooting appears to be “completely random.” He also said at this point in the investigation, police believe there was only one shooter.
There is a perimeter around the downtown area and residents are urged to stay indoors, officials said. They also said that it does not appear that the suspect is barricaded anywhere and they are looking to identify the shooter.
Authorities are asking that anyone with video to contact Highland Park police at 847 432-7720.
CNN’s Claudia Dominguez contributed reporting to this post.
Suspect is "a male White, approximately 18 to 20 years old, with longer black hair," police say
Cmdr. Chris O'Neill from the Highland Park Police said that law enforcement is still searching for the suspect.
O'Neill provided the following description:
"The suspect is currently described as a male White, approximately 18 to 20 years old, with longer black hair, a small build, and wearing a white or blue t-shirt," he said.
O'Neill said a firearm has been recovered from the scene of the shooting.
The police commander urged individuals in the area to shelter in place at this time.
"We have secured the perimeter around downtown highland park and are continuing our searches."
At least 6 dead and two dozen injured after shooting in Highland Park, Illinois
At least six people were killed and two dozen were injured in the shooting at the Highland Park parade, Cmdr. Chris O’Neil, incident commander, told reporters.
O’Neil said that authorities are still looking for the suspect which they describe as a White male between 18-20 years old and is wearing a white or blue t-shirt.
Authorities consider this an active incident.
NOW: Police speak after deadly shooting at July 4 parade in Illinois
Authorities are providing an update now on the deadly shooting that unfolded in Highland Park, Illinois.
At least five people are dead and 16 are wounded, according to the city.
The city said police are still searching for the suspect and advised people to shelter in place.
Witness tells CNN gunshots at parade sounded like "firecrackers in a garbage can"
From CNN's Melissa Alonso
Jeff Leon, 57, told CNN on Monday he heard what he believes were gunshots ring out minutes into the start of the July 4th parade in Highland Park, Illinois.
Leon said the shot sounded like "firecrackers in a garbage can," and it wasn't until he saw police officers reacting, that he knew anything had happened.
"It sounded like a string of about 20 firecrackers that were led off inside of your mental garbage bin, it was that loud," he said. "So, I didn't immediately react, I thought it was just how people are on the fourth."
"The police started reacting and I saw some people falling," Leon said. That's when he said he and everyone around him left all their belongings and began to run.
"We just took off. And, you know, we, we were hiding behind cars, folding into the next car and making our way," he said.
Leon says he never saw the gunfire, but he estimates he heard gunshots for less than a minute while they were running.
It was "maybe five to seven minutes later" when there hadn't been any shots that people stopped running from the scene. "But then we had to find our kids."
Leon had gone to the parade with family to watch his twins, who are going to be high school freshmen in Fall, march with the football team. He later reunited with his family, who were uninjured.
Leon is a resident of Highwood, Illinois, about a mile from Highland Park, and has lived in the area since 2010.
Police are still searching for alleged shooter, city says
Police are still searching for the alleged shooter, Highland Park City said in a statement.
The city said five people were killed and 16 others have been transported to hospital after a gunman opened fire Monday at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, according to the statement.
"All individuals are advised to shelter in place. Law enforcement agencies are searching for the suspect; evidence of a firearm has been recovered," according to the statement.
Here's the full statement from the city:
"Highland Park Police are responding to an active shooter incident that occurred in downtown Highland Park during the 4th of July parade. This is an active incident. All individuals are advised to shelter in place. Law enforcement agencies are searching for the suspect; evidence of a firearm has been recovered. 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.
More information will be posted to cityhpil.com as it becomes available."
At least 5 killed in Highland Park in shooting incident, city says
From CNN's Shawn Nottingham
Five people have been killed in a shooting incident in Highland Park, Illinois, according to a news release from the city.
Sixteen people have been transported to the hospital for injuries, according to the release.
The release goes on to say police are still searching for a suspect in the incident but says evidence of a firearm has been recovered from the scene.
FBI heading to scene in Highland Park, Illinois, after reported active shooter
From CNN's Brynn Gingras
The FBI is aware of the situation in Highland Park, Illinois, and has deployed resources to the scene, a spokesperson from FBI Chicago tells CNN.
Earlier, CNN reported that the Illinois State Police troopers responded to a “reported active shooter” at the Highland Park Parade.
Chicago mayor says city police are "providing assistance" in Highland Park
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot tweeted Monday that Chicago police are "providing assistance" in Highland Park.
The suburb city is located about 25 miles north of downtown Chicago.
"Law enforcement is working hard to bring the shooter into custody," Lightfoot said.
See the tweets:
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Train service being halted near Highland Park
From CNN’s Joe Sutton
As a result of the ongoing incident in downtown Highland Park, Metra is halting train service in the area.
“Metra Alert UP-N - Inbound and outbound train movement halted near Highland park, police activity,” Metra said in a tweet.
Metra provides service to and from downtown Chicago.
Neighboring Illinois communities cancel 4th of July celebrations
The City of Evanston and the Village of Deerfield, Illinois, have canceled their 4th of July celebrations after an alleged shooting at a parade in Highland Park, Illinois, on Monday morning.
The City of Evanston tweeted it is canceling celebrations "due to an abundance of caution." The Village of Deerfield said it cleared activities going on at Jewett Park and canceled the parade.
Read the tweets:
"It was sickening," Highland Park resident describes scene at parade
Miles Zaremski, a Highland Park, Illinois, resident, told CNN he was walking to the Fourth of July parade when he heard a "pop" and thought that maybe a car backfired.
"And then there were multiple pops," he told CNN's Katilan Collins. "I'd say I heard maybe, and I'm guessing, about 30 pops. There was a pause in between, a set of pops, and then a second set of pops. And then the crowd that was on either side of [Central Ave.] started rushing, a stampede like, going west, which is against me," he explained.
He added, "It was sickening. It was just chaotic and I'm not going to get into the politics of gun control, but if it can happen in a suburb like Highland Park, which is loving and peaceful and a Chicago suburb, not only can it happen in churches and synagogues and schools, but it can happen in any community."
Illinois governor says he's "closely monitoring" situation in Highland Park and state police are at scene
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he's "closely monitoring" the situation in Highland Park.
"State police are on the scene and we have made all state resources available to the community," the governor tweeted Monday.
Read the governor's tweet:
Illinois State Police respond to reported active shooter at Highland Park Parade
From CNN's Claudia Dominguez
Illinois State Police troopers responded to a “reported active shooter” at the Highland Park Parade, and are currently in an “assist role,” they said in a statement.
“This incident is in its infancy and no further information is available at this time,” the state police said.
Local congressman says he was about to join Highland Park parade when "shooting started"
Rep. Brad Schneider, a Democrat who represents the 10th District in Illinois, tweeted that he and his team were about to join the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park when the "shooting started."
Schneider wrote that he and his team are safe and are in touch with the mayor as local authorities address the situation. Highland Park Police said earlier that they were responding to an incident downtown.
State Rep. Bob Morgan, of the 58th District, tweeted that there are multiple injuries.
"For those unaware, there was a shooting at the Highland Park Parade. I am ok but there have been multiple injuries. Please stay out of the area, stay safe, and please pray for those injured," Morgan tweeted.
View Schneider's Twitter thread here:
CNN's Melanie Schuman and Devon Sayers contributed to this report.
Police responding to an incident at a Fourth of July event in Highland Park, Illinois
From CNN's Brynn Gingras and Claudia Dominguez
Highland Park, Illinois, police are responding to an incident downtown, according to the city’s Facebook page. A midday festival has now been canceled per authorities. The parade was schedule for 10 a.m. CT (11 a.m. ET).
Authorities are also asking people to avoid downtown Highland Park area, adding that more information will be shared as it becomes available.
Lake County Sheriff’s office said they were assisting Highland Park Police with a "shooting" at a Highland Park Independence day parade.
“We are assisting Highland Park Police with a shooting in the area of the Independence Day parade route. STAY OUT OF THE AREA - allow law-enforcement and first responders to do their work,” police said in a Facebook post.
A witness, Miles Zaremski, told CNN that he heard what he believed to be 20-25 gunshots. He tells CNN he saw at least one person bloodied and on ground.
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