Highland Park, Illinois (Monday, July 4, 2022) – In what was supposed to be a day of celebration and fun, turned deadly following a mass shooting at an Independence Day parade Monday just outside of Chicago, Illinois.  At least 6 are reported dead and dozens others injured.  Police are searching for a white gunman said to be between 18 and 20. Police believe the gunman carried out his deadly attack on top of a building and they have found a firearm on the rooftop of a business in Highland Park.

All festivities in the area have been canceled for the day and residents are being told to shelter in place.  31 people have been transported to two hospitals.  Authorities say most of the victims have gunshot wounds. 

Highland Park is about 25 miles of Chicago. The shooting has triggered a national investigation with the FBI joining in.  For now, no word of a motive for the bloodshed.  According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, this marks the 308th mass shooting in the US for 2022.

Many in the parade initially thought the gunfire was fireworks and part of the parade.  But quickly that celebratory feeling turned to one of panic with people running and seeking shelter from the bullets.

“The firearm was a high-powered rifle and the attack on parade attendees appeared to be random and intentional,” said Christopher Covelli a spokesperson for the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.