USA: 6 dead, 36 injured in shooting near Chicago during 4th of July parade

First modification: 07/05/2022 – 02:55

The events occurred in the suburb of Highland Park, Chicago, during a commemorative parade for the Independence Day of the United States. Police detained the suspect, a 22-year-old man, who allegedly fired a long-range rifle. President Biden and the first lady were dismayed by what happened and promised to fight “the epidemic of violence with firearms” in the country.

A demonstration of patriotism turned into a scene of chaos, this is how the media described what happened in Highland Park, Chicago.

A shooter opened fire in the middle of a 4th of July parade. According to authorities, six people died and at least 36 were injured.

Police have identified a suspect, Robert “Bobby” Crimo, a 22-year-old white man, who they arrested Monday.

The attacker is believed to have fired from a rooftop. A long-range rifle was recovered at the crime scene.

Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering told a news conference that the community is terrified. And she described what happened as “an act of violence that has shaken us to the core. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims during this devastating time.”

Highland Park Police are responding to an incident in downtown Highland Park. Fourth Fest has been canceled. Please avoid downtown Highland Park. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

— Nancy Rotering (@NancyRotering) July 4, 2022

Local media cited a witness who claimed to have heard about 20 shots.

Highland Park is a suburb where, according to 2020 figures, at least 300,000 people reside. It is located 40 kilometers from Chicago. Almost 90% of its inhabitants are white, according to the US Census Bureau.

Biden denounces an “epidemic of gun violence”

The president of the United States, Joe Biden, reacted to what happened.

In a statement released by the White House, the president and first lady said they were “shocked by senseless gun violence.”

Biden showed his appreciation to first responders and law enforcement who quickly responded to the scene.

An FBI tactical team arrives on the scene after a mass shooting on a 4th of July parade route in the affluent Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Illinois, USA, on July 4, 2022. © Reuters – Max Herman

“I recently signed the first major bipartisan gun reform bill in nearly 30 years, including measures that will save lives. But there is much more work to be done, and I will not give up fighting the epidemic of gun violence.” fire,” he concluded.

The law to which the tenant of the White House refers includes a review of the process of buying weapons for those under 21 years of age and extends to the entire nation the so-called ‘danger alert’ or ‘red flag’ laws, which They allow the activation of a legal procedure to confiscate the firearms of those who represent a danger to third parties or to themselves.

This new act of violence occurs in a convulsive context in the country regarding the issue of free possession and acquisition of weapons.

Among other events that occurred this year, on May 24, a shooter killed 19 students and two teachers at an educational center in Uvalde, Texas. Previously, another young man murdered ten people in a shopping center in Buffalo, New York.

At least one of the deceased and two injured are of Mexican nationality, as announced by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, Marcelo Ebrard.

Reyna Torres, Consul of Mexico, informs me that there is a national among those who have lost their lives in the shooting that took place in Chicago. Condolences to family and friends. We stand with the Chicago community in their pain and sadness over this tragedy.

– Marcelo Ebrard C. (@m_ebrard) July 4, 2022