Officials in the affluent Chicago suburb confirmed that there’s “an active shooter incident” and said all “individuals are advised to shelter in place.”
Police launched a massive manhunt Monday for a rooftop shooter who killed at least six people and wounded 24 more at a July Fourth parade in an affluent Chicago suburb, authorities said.
A high-powered rifle has been found and police are searching for a gunman, described as a white man between the ages of 18 and 20 with long black hair, who opened fire at about 10:14 a.m. CDT, Highland Park police Commander Chris O’Neill told reporters.
Police do not believe the shooter is holed up nearby and should be considered armed and dangerous, officials said.
The city of Highland Park confirmed that there’s “an active shooter incident” and urged all “individuals are advised to shelter in place.”
Police were spotted scouring rooftops around Central Avenue near Green Bay Road and Second Street in the aftermath of gunfire.
“It does appear that he was shooting from a roof,” Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli told reporters.
In the aftermath of Monday’s shooting, discarded camping chairs, backpacks and other belongings littered the parade route, left behind by local residents who had come out to celebrate July Fourth before fleeing for their lives.
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering thanked police officers for their fast response.
“Our community has been terrorized by an act of violence that’s shaken us to our core,” she said.
Illinois State Police also responded to the scene, “assisting Highland Park PD with an active shoot situation,” according to a statement the agency tweeted.
The Chicago Police Department dispatched a helicopter and other officers in the manhunt, officials said.
Fourth of July events in other Chicago suburbs — Evanston, Deerfield and Skokie — were called off in the wake of the Highland Park shooting.
