AT least six are dead and dozens are injured after a shooting at a Fourth of July parade, and one father chillingly described how he hid his son from the shooter.
The Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois — about 25 miles north of Chicago — descended into chaos 10 minutes into its start after a gunman opened fire on parade-goers.
One father described to WGN9 how he hid his son during the shooting.
"He reloaded, and then that's when I grabbed my son and I ran around the corner and I put him in a dumpster, a garbage dumpster," he said.
"And I asked some people to stay there with him because I had to go back to find the rest of my family."
Blankets and chairs were left strewn along the parade route as people abandoned their belongings to run for safety.
Law enforcement sources confirmed that six people have been killed and 31 others have been hospitalized.
Read our Highland Park shooting blog for the latest news and updates…
- Jennifer Korn
Who are the victims?
The Highland Park shooting is still under investigation, and as a result, little information has been released about the victims.
However, Nicolas Toledo, 78, was identified as one of the six victims by his family.
“We are all feeling pretty numb. We’re all pretty broken inside,” his granddaughter told CBS Chicago.
The Highland Park parade shooting marked the 11th mass shooting over the July 4 weekend.
- Jennifer Korn
UPDATE: Suspect arrested
Officials have just announced that Robert E Crimo was captured about 15 minutes ago after an attempted traffic stop.
The suspect tried to flee but was ultimately taken into custody after a brief pursuit.
Officials will now speak with him to determine if he is connected to the incident.
- Jennifer Korn
FBI reportedly at suspect's home
Video shows what appears to be FBI agents clearing out the home and driveway where the suspect, Robert E Crimo III lives.
- Jennifer Korn
Car pictured
The FBI Chicago Twitter page shared a photo of the suspect's vehicle.
"DO NOT APPROACH," the agency warned.
"Call 1-800-CALL-FBI if you know his location. He may be traveling in a silver Honda Fit IL plate DM80653."
- Jennifer Korn
FBI asks for information
The FBI is asking for photos or videos related to the Highland Park shooting.
FBI Most Wanted also issued a tweet, confirming the FBI is assisting in the search for suspect Robert E. Crimo.
- Jennifer Korn
FBI details uspect's tattoos
Robert E Crimo has these tattoos, according to the FBI: four tally marks with a line through them on his right cheek, red roses and green leaves on his neck, and cursive script above his left eyebrow.
- Jennifer Korn
US Sen Tammy Duckworth speaks
"My heart goes out to the families who will never see their loved ones again," said the senator.
"We have to do more to keep our community safe."
- Jennifer Korn
'Be angry'
"I'm furious that more innocent lives were taken by gun violence," said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
"I'm furious because it does not have to be this way."
The governor went on to say that mass shootings have become a "weekly American tradition."
"We as a nation deserve better."
- Jennifer Korn
Illinois Governor speaks
"Lives were saved because the Highland Park police department courageously protected and served their community," said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker at a press conference.
"This murderer will be brought to justice."
- Jennifer Korn
Person of interest photo released
Bobby Crimo is 22 years old and has long hair and a small tattoo under his eye.
- Jennifer Korn
License plate revealed
Police revealed Robert E Crimo's license plate number: DM80653
He is believed to be driving a silver 2010 Honda Fit and is considered to be armed and dangerous.
- Jennifer Korn
Person of interest identified
Robert E Crimo III, 22, has been identified as a person of interest.
He is believed to be driving a 2010 silver Honda Fit and is considered armed and dangerous, according to authorities.
"Our investigators have been working tirelessly," said Lou Jogmen, Chief of Police.
- Jennifer Korn
One Mexican national killed
Mexican Foreign Secretary Ebrard has confirmed that one Mexican national was killed and two others were injured during the mass shooting at a parade in Highland Park, Illinois.
- Josephine Fuller
Five dead on the scene
Jennifer Banke of the county coroner announced five victims died at the scene and one person died while being transferred to the hospital.
She also said many others drove themselves to the hospital with injuries related to the shooting.
At least one victim was a child who had been critically injured.
Gunshot wounds carried from the abdomen to limb.
- Jennifer Korn
Two patients still admitted
Only two patients remain at Highland Park Hospital, and they are in stable condition.
The other victims were either discharged or transferred to other facilities.
- Jennifer Korn
Victims range from 8 to 85
Brigham Temple, medical director of Highland Park Hospital, revealed that the youngest patient is eight years old, and the oldest is 85.
"It is a little surreal to have to take care of an event such as this," he said. "But all of us have gone through extensive training."
- Jennifer Korn
26 victims treated at Highland Park Hospital
Brigham Temple, medical director of Highland Park Hospital, said the hospital received 26 total patients by ambulance.
He went on to say that the hospital went into lockdown as an additional safety protocol.
25 of the 26 victims sustained gunshot injuries, and some of them were in critical condition when they arrived at the hospital.
19 were treated and discharged home.
However, "several others did arrive in more serious conditions," Temple said.
- Jennifer Korn
VP Harris says aide being sent
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with reporters in Santa Monica about the shooting in Highland Park.
"We are sending federal resources to local law enforcement," to assist in capturing the suspect, she said.
- Josephine Fuller
Still an 'ongoing emergency'
Michael Verden, of the Lake County Group, told WGN9 this is still an ongoing emergency.
Using the Boston Marathon as an example, Verden said in crowded areas it's easy for someone to slip into a crowd and quickly slip out without being noticed.
- Josephine Fuller
Updated numbers
Officials have confirmed six people have died, and 24 have been hospitalized in varying conditions.
Highland Park's Mayor Nancy Rotering said the rest of the July 4 festival has been canceled, reports WGN9.
- Josephine Fuller
Band plays as shots ring out
In the video below, as the marching plays the shots can barely be heard.
The only giveaway that something had happened is the reaction of spectators as they quickly run for cover.
- Josephine Fuller
Highland Park is a 'peaceful suburb'
Highland Park is one of the most affluent cities in Illinois.
Its residents include two billionaires, and the median household income is over $218,000.
- Carsen Holaday
'High-powered rifle'
Police recovered a "high-powered rifle" from the scene of that mass shooting.
Authorities believe that the gunman, who is still on the loose, is between the ages of 18 to 20 years old with long dark hair.
- Carsen Holaday
Reunification center
A reunification center for families and groups is at the Highland Police Department.
Many areas are sheltered in place as the shooter hasn't been caught.
- Carsen Holaday
'Random but intentional'
Police say the suspect fired down into the parade from a nearby roof.
He was "discreet" during the mass shooting.
Victims were pronounced dead at the scene and also at a local hospital.
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