Highland Park, Highland Park News, News Today, Breaking News Officials say a man interested in the July 4 mass shooting has been taken into ...

Highland Park, Highland Park News, News Today, Breaking News

Officials say a man interested in the July 4 mass shooting has been taken into custody.

Robert E. Crime III was seen driving a silver Honda Fit in North Chicago hours after the attack. When an officer tried to "start a traffic stop," the 22-year-old attempted to flee, Highland Park Police Chief Lou Jogman said at a briefing Monday evening.

"A brief search continued," but the crime itself eventually gave up, Jogman said, adding that he was "taken into custody without incident."

Dogman said the investigation was progressing rapidly and added that the crime would be questioned by investigators in the department "to confirm or see if he is connected to the incident."

When pressed, Jogman refused to call the crime a suspect at this stage in the investigation. The police chief said he needed more information to link him to the shooting that killed six people and injured dozens more.

Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek said at an earlier briefing that five of the six victims of the attack were adults, who died on the spot. All five have been identified, and the families are now being informed.

The sixth victim died in a local hospital. No additional information was provided.

Highland Park Fire Chief Joe Schrage said a seriously injured child was among about two dozen people taken to local hospitals. Some injuries include gunshot wounds to the abdomen and limbs.

NPR member station WBEZ reported that the "vast majority" of the injured are being treated for gunshot wounds. Some were "constantly injured as a result of the ensuing chaos at the parade."

Schrage said the crew at the scene reacted quickly, as did the witnesses who helped tie the tourniquets.

The shooter fired on the crowd from a rooftop

Officials currently have no reason to believe there was more than one shooter, according to Sgt. Christopher Cowley of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.

The shooter used a high-powered rifle, which is now being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and was on the roof of a business. They allegedly reached the terrace through a ladder that was attached to the building and was unsafe.

CMD. Chris O'Neill of Highland Park Police said the crime scene is still active, and officers are clearing buildings in the area. People taking shelter at different places are being evacuated safely.

Witnesses describe chaos, panic, and disbelief

Miles Zeremsky told NPR that when he first heard the gunshots he mistook them for a car backfiring or fireworks.

"And then all of a sudden, the crowd... started running like a stampede," he said.

"And then I move a little bit, and suddenly I see blood on the cement. And I see individuals in pools of blood ... and I knew there was a mass shooting."

Zaretsky said he rushed to help but was quickly removed by police and emergency services, who arrived at the scene within moments.

"I witnessed the massacre, and I almost broke down," she said, shaken by the events.

Zaretsky has been living in Highland Park since 1976 and describes it as a loving and peaceful community, much more than he experienced.

"It's real. It must have been a science fiction movie that I just saw, but unfortunately, it wasn't," he said. "Our country is a scary place."

the shooting was fast and vicious

O'Neill said the shooter began firing at around 10:14 a.m. local time. It is unclear how many shots were fired, but several witnesses reported hearings of about 20 or more rounds.

The incident happened very quickly, and police and fire units were already on the scene because of the parade. O'Neill said the department has trained in rapid deployment, rapid response and providing support.

President Biden says he and the first lady are 'shocked'

President Joe Biden, who signed a bipartisan gun safety bill less than 10 days ago, issued a statement hours after the attack.

"Jill and I are shocked by the senseless gun violence that has again plagued an American community this Independence Day."

He added that the new law includes "actions that could save lives."

The measure is the first gun reform law passed by Congress in nearly 30 years and was signed nearly a month after two other mass shootings shook the nation.

Illinois governor calls shooter a 'monster'

Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker called for prayer in the wake of "the evil spreading this morning", but said prayer alone would not solve the problem of gun violence in the country.

"There are no words for the kind of monster who lies in wait and sets fire to hordes of families with children who are holidaying with their community. There are no words for the kind of evil that afflicts our neighbors." robs their hopes, their dreams, their future," Pritzker said in a statement.

"We need - and we will - end this plague of gun violence."

Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said: "Our hearts go out to the families of the victims at this devastating time. On a day when we came together to celebrate community and freedom, we instead mourn the tragic loss of life." We are mourning and battling the terror that was brought upon us."