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Man accused of Chicago Independence Day parade shooting charged with seven counts of murder by Illinois police

The accused wore women's clothing in an effort to mask his identity and evade police. (AP: Nam Y Huh)

The death toll from Chicago's Fourth of July parade shooting has risen as officials reveal more information about how the accused man evaded police.

The alleged shooter legally bought two high-powered rifles and three other weapons despite authorities being called to his home twice since 2019 after he threatened suicide and violence, police say.

He has since been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder by police, and will face a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted.

Authorities say the alleged shooter had planned the attack for weeks, and Illinois state attorney Eric Reinhart says the alleged shooter is likely to face dozens of additional charges before the investigation is finalised.

Here are the latest updates from the Chicago shooting.

The suspect wore women's clothing to blend into the crowd

The accused man, Robert E Crimo III, who has distinctive facial tattoos, wore women's clothing in an effort to mask his identity and evade police, Chris Covelli, a spokesperson for the Lake County Sheriff's office said.

The suspect fled to his mother's house nearby, and later borrowed her car.

Several hours later, a police officer pulled the suspect over north of the shooting after police released a photo of the suspect and warned that he was likely armed and dangerous, Highland Park Police Chief Lou Jogmen said.

Suspect purchases guns legally despite previous threats

Police allege the suspect used a high-powered rifle "similar to an AR-15" to spray more than 70 rounds from atop a commercial building into a crowd that had gathered for the parade in Highland Park, an affluent community of about 30,000 on the Lake Michigan shore.

He had a similar rifle in his mother's car, and owned other guns at his home, all of which were bought legally in Illinois, officials said.

Police say they were called to the suspect's home in September 2019 after a family member called to say he was threatening "to kill everyone" in the home.

Mr Covelli said police confiscated 16 knives, a dagger and a sword, but said there was no sign he had any guns at the time.

The suspect legally purchased the high-powered rifle in Illinois within the past year, Mr Covelli said.

Police in 2019 also responded to a reported suicide attempt by the suspect, Mr Covelli said.

In all, he purchased five firearms, which were recovered by officers at his father's home, police say.

Investigators who have interrogated the suspect and reviewed his social media posts have not determined a motive for the attack or found any indication that he targeted anyone by race, religion or other protected status, Mr Covelli said.

Police say the suspect spent several weeks planning the assault and fired into the crowd at random.

A couple, who got married on Sunday, leave their wedding bouquets at the scene of the shooting. (AP: Charles Rex Arbogast)

The death toll has risen by one

Police say the death toll has risen from six to seven, with a teacher at a synagogue and a grandfather who came from Mexico to visit his family among the victims.

Nicolas Toledo, in his 70s, had been visiting his family for about the past month. He spent his final days swimming and fishing and being among relatives, his family said.

Another victim identified was Jacki Sundheim, a teacher at a Highland Park synagogue.

"Jacki's work, kindness and warmth touched us all, from her teaching at the Gates of Learning Preschool to guiding innumerable among us through life's moments of joy and sorrow," North Shore Congregation Israel said in an email.

Thirty-nine people were taken to hospital, ranging in age from 14 to in their 70s, said spokesman Jim Anthony.

Nine people remained hospitalised, where a 69-year-old man remains in critical condition with a gunshot wound.

Police said several of the victims died at the scene. (AP: Nam Y Huh)

Kamala Harris is expected to visit Chicago

Chicago wasn't the only area to experience a shooting during Independence Day celebrations.

Soon after, two policemen were shot in the city of Philadelphia, as thousands gathered for a July 4 concert and fireworks show.

Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to visited Chicago, the White House has confirmed.

The US Supreme Court overturns gun restrictions in New York.

In response to the shootings in New York and Uvalde, Congress last month passed its first major federal gun reform in three decades, providing federal funding to states that administer "red flag" laws intended to remove guns from people deemed dangerous.

The law does not ban sales of assault-style rifles or high-capacity magazines but does take some steps on background checks by allowing access to information on significant crimes committed by juveniles.

ABC/wires

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