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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
World
Michelle Cullen

Man, 22, arrested after manhunt following 4 July mass shooting which left six dead and 24 wounded

A 22-year-old man has been arrested after six people were killed and 24 injured in a mass shooting at a 4th of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois.

After a brief chase, Robert E Crimo III was captured and detained according to police.

The gunman climbed onto a roof and shot randomly at spectators using a high-powered rifle.

READ MORE: Six confirmed dead and 24 injured in US after gunman opens fire at 4th of July parade in Illinois

It comes as the US has recorded a shooting every week so far in 2022. President Joe Biden said he was "shocked" by the violence.

Mr Crimo was referred to as a "person of interest" in Monday's shooting, but after his arrest, police said they believed he was responsible.

The gunman opened fire at the parade, near the city of Chicago, at around 10.15am local time, just a few minutes after it began.

The event was to include floats, marching bands, and community entertainment as part of the city's Independence Day celebrations.

However, panic soon descended on the event, with pushchairs, purses and lawn chairs all left strewn on the street as crowds fled from the scene.

Some witnesses said they thought the sound of gunfire was fireworks.

The gunman fired at members of the public from the rooftop of a nearby shop, where police recovered "evidence of a firearm."

Five adults were killed at the scene, as well as a further victim who the local coroner said died in a nearby hospital. At least 24 others were injured.

Belongings are shown left behind at the scene of a mass shooting along the route of a Fourth of July parade on July 4, 2022 in Highland Park, Illinois (gettyimages.ie)

One witness, Noel Hara, told the BBC: "About 30 people suddenly came rushing in screaming, and we were locked into the Starbucks bathroom.

"Moments later, they evacuated us from the Starbucks because they thought the shooter was trying to get in the back door."

No charges have been filed against Mr Crimo, and there is no indication of any motive.

Social media firms suspended accounts which are believed to have belonged to Mr Crimo, who posted rap videos under an alias.

Illinois Governor Jay Robert Pritzker warned that mass shootings were becoming an "American tradition".

He said: "There are going to be people who are going to say that today is not the day, that now is not the time to talk about guns. I'm telling you there is no better day and no better time then right here and right now."

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