UPDATE: At Least Six Reported Dead After Gunfire Erupts During Chicago Area Fourth of July Parade

Colby HallJul 4th, 2022, 11:47 am
 

highland park parade shooting

A deadly mass shooting broke out during an Independence Day parade in the city of Highland Park, a residential area some 25 miles north of Chicago. At least six people were killed and 31 were transported to the hospital after the mass shooting, reported local authorities. Initial reports revealed that at least five people were bloodied, according to a local reporter on the scene.

Video has emerged from the parade:

The Highland Park Fourth of July parade was suddenly halted when shots were fired about 10 minutes after the parade kicked off at 10 a.m. Monday, sending hundreds of people running for safety.

As they fled the parade route on Central Street in downtown Highland Park, parade-goers left behind chairs, baby strollers and blankets as they sought cover, not knowing just what happened.

Several witnesses said they heard multiple shots fired.

Multiple people were shot. A reporter saw five people bloodied. A blanket was covering one person.

There has been a sharp rise in mass shootings of late, most notably a shopping center in Buffalo by a white supremacist and the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

UPDATE: Six people were confirmed killed by local media and at least 31 people have been reported injured, according to local authorities. Highland Park Fire Chief Joe Schrage said 23 of those injured were transported to nearby hospitals by first responders, including one child who was in critical condition. Eyewitnesses recounted horrific stories from the shooting to CNN and other outlets, describing the large-scale carnage. Hospital officials in the area said during a press conference on Monday evening that 25 people were treated for gunshot wounds, their ages between eight and 85. Between four and five were children.

Local authorities report that the shooter is still at large.

The municipality of nearby Deerfield has announced via Twitter that they have canceled their Fourth of July parade:

This is a developing story and will be updated as more news reveals itself…

 

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Colby Hall - Founding Editor

Colby Hall is the Founding Editor of Mediaite.com. He is also a Peabody Award-winning television producer of non-fiction narrative programming as well as a terrific dancer and preparer of grilled meats.