A shooting left at least six dead and several injured on Monday July 4 during a parade organized in Highland Park, a wealthy town north of Chicago, on the occasion of the American national holiday.
Hundreds of spectators had come to watch the traditional July 4 national holiday parade as a family when a shooter opened fire. The first amateur images show the chaos and the panic movements of the crowd caused by the first shots. In their flight, the spectators left behind them strollers, folding chairs, blankets and unfortunately large pools of blood, reports our correspondent in Miami, David Thomson.
A witness, quoted by the local channel WGN, reported seeing a man armed with a rifle open fire in the direction of the public. ” He was on the ground and crawled along in a methodical, almost military way. “commented this man named Michael. The crowd threw themselves to the ground before running away as pools of blood formed, he said. Adrienne Drell was watching a high school marching band when a man sounded the alarm. ” There was panic all over town “, she confided to the Chicago Sun-Times. “ We are totally stunned. »
Between 20 and 25 bullets would have been fired. At least six people were killed and 24 were injured. Authorities are urging residents to stay home as the suspect, who has not yet been arrested or identified, described by police as an 18- to 20-year-old white male, is on the run and “ considered armed and dangerous “. The festivities were suspended in Highland Park, the wealthy city north of Chicago where the tragedy took place, and in several surrounding towns.
” Law enforcement is looking for the suspect, a firearm has been found “, announced the municipality of Highland Park on its website. ” Police have been deployed to the scene and a perimeter has been secured around downtown Highland Park “, indicates a press release published by the municipality.
The United States is still reeling from a series of shootings, including one in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texason May 24, left 21 dead, including 19 children.
(With agencies)