Police continue search for suspect in Illinois parade shooting

A shooting during a US Independence Day parade in a suburb outside Chicago, Illinois, left at least six people dead on Monday. The search for the shooter continues, according to authorities.

A total of 31 people were transported to two hospitals, NorthShore University Health System spokesman Jim Anthony said. The vast majority had gunshot wounds, while others were injured while fleeing, he added.

According to Jennifer Banek, a Lake County coroner, five fatalities died at the scene and were adults. The sixth victim died in hospital, but Banek had no information on his age.

“There was one who was transported to a local hospital who also died in the hospital. I don’t have any additional information about this victim,” she said.

The attack in the city of Highland Park, about 40 kilometers north of Chicago, began shortly after 10 am local time as residents watched a Fourth of July parade along Central Avenue.

A “high-powered rifle” was found on the roof of a nearby business, which police understand is a possible shooting site, said Christopher Covelli, a spokesman for the Lake County Serious Crimes Task Force. He added that the case appeared to be “random” but “intentional”.

“Everything indicates that he was discreet; he was very difficult to see,” she pointed out, adding that “it looks like access to the roof happened via a ladder in an alley that was not safe”.

Authorities are working on forensics on the firearm to find out who bought it, serial number, manufacturer, among other information, according to Office of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesperson Kim Nerheim.

The suspect was described as a white male between the ages of 18 and 20, small, with long black hair and wearing a T-shirt. He was deemed “armed and dangerous”, and authorities advised people to take shelter.

Sergeant Covelli stated that the two aspects of the investigation are: “the searches for the individual” and a “criminal investigation taking place simultaneously”.

He added that the police are working with the FBI and there are more than 100 officers at the scene. He also asked the public to check if they have videos and photos of the moment of the attack to help the authorities.

US President Joe Biden said he and First Lady Jill Biden are “shocked by the senseless gun violence that has once again brought sadness to an American community on this Independence Day”.

He also noted that he called the federal police to “help in the urgent search for the shooter.”

“I spoke with Governor Pritzker and Mayor Rotering and offered the full support of the federal government to their communities. I also called federal police to assist in the urgent search for the shooter, who remains at large at the moment,” he wrote.

“Community members should follow the direction of the leadership on the ground, and I will monitor closely as we learn more about those whose lives have been lost and pray for those in hospital with serious injuries,” added the president.

Finally, Biden released legislation signed last week on gun ownership that “includes actions that will save lives”, acknowledging “much more work to do”.

restricted airspace

The Federal Aviation Administration is banning aircraft from flying over Highland Park at the site of Monday’s attack.

A Temporary Flight Restriction of eight kilometers is in effect up to 914 meters above the ground, except for “rescue aircraft”, which is the responsibility of the direction of the City Police Department.

Investigators scour social media

Investigators are currently searching social media for any indication that the shooting would be carried out or threats to the parade.

Chris Covelli of the Lake County Serious Crimes Task Force said there were no threats that he was aware of, but that “certainly investigators are scouring social media.”

Source: CNN Brasil

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