Benny Roberts, of South Bend, Indiana, carries a wooden cross near Central Avenue and Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
A gunman opened fire on the Fourth of July parade Monday in Highland Park, killing at least six people and wounding dozens more. The shooting started around 10 a.m., sending parade-goers running and interrupting the parade.
Following the violence, Gov. J.B. Pritzker called on “all Illinoisans to pray for the families who have been devastated by the evil unleashed this morning in Highland Park, for those who have lost loved ones and for those who have been injured.
“There are no words for the kind of monster who lies in wait and fires into a crowd of families with children celebrating a holiday with their community. There are no words for the kind of evil that robs our neighbors of their hopes, their dreams, their futures.
“We must — and we will — end this plague of gun violence.”
Chicago Sun-Times reporter Lynn Sweet was at the parade when the shooting broke out and recorded some of the first reactions to the tragedy. Other reporters and photographers soon joined her in Highland Park.
Benny Roberts, of South Bend, Indiana, carries a wooden cross near Central Avenue and Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Benny Roberts, of South Bend, Indiana, carries a wooden cross near Central Avenue and Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate near Central Avenue and 2nd Street in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. A ladder leads to the roof of Uncle Dan’s Outfitters, where police said the shooter may have been perched when he opened fire. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate on Central Avenue near Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate near Central Avenue and 2nd Street in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. A ladder leads to the roof of Uncle Dan’s Outfitters, where police said the shooter may have been perched when he opened fire. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
A flag hangs at half mast as members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate near Central Avenue and 2nd Street in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland ParkÕs Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate on Central Avenue near Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate on Central Avenue near Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland ParkÕs Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
A flag hangs at half mast as members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate near Central Avenue and 2nd Street in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland ParkÕs Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate on Central Avenue near Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate on Central Avenue near Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate on Central Avenue near Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering speaks to the media during a news conference outside the Highland Park Police Department, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering looks on as Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli, of the Lake County sheriff’s office and the Lake County major crimes task force, speaks to the media during a news conference outside the Highland Park Police Department, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering speaks to the media during a news conference outside the Highland Park Police Department, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate on Central Avenue near Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate on Central Avenue near Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, less than 24 hours after a gunman killed six people and wounded dozens more by firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)
Terrified parade-goers fled Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade after shots were fired, leaving behind their belongings as they sought safety. (Lynn Sweet/ Sun-Times)
Terrified parade-goers fled Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade after shots were fired, leaving behind their belongings as they sought safety. (Lynn Sweet/ Sun-Times)
Scooters and bicycles were left behind after shots were fired during the Highland Park Fourth of July parade, Monday. (Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times)
Police escort people away from the parade scene after the shooting in Highland Park Monday. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)
Law enforcement officers escort a family away from the parade scene after the shooting in Highland Park Monday. (Manuel Martinez/WBEZ)
Law enforcement officers escort a family away from the parade scene after the shooting in Highland Park Monday. (Manuel Martinez/WBEZ)
Law enforcement searched two homes in Highland Park thought to be related to the person of interest in the parade shooting. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)
Law enforcement searched two homes in Highland Park thought to be related to the person of interest in the parade shooting. (Manny Ramos/Sun-Times)
Downtown Highland Park after the mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade Monday. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)
Downtown Highland Park after the mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade Monday. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)
Empty chairs on the street after a mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park. Monday, July 4, 2022. (Brian Rich/Sun-Times)
Law enforcement works the scene after a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park. Monday, July 4, 2022. (Brian Rich/Sun-Times)
Law enforcement works the scene after a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park. Monday, July 4, 2022. (Brian Rich/Sun-Times)
Empty chairs on the street after a mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park. Monday, July 4, 2022. (Brian Rich/Sun-Times)
Empty chairs on the street after a mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park. Monday, July 4, 2022. (Brian Rich/Sun-Times)
Empty chairs on the street after a mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park. Monday, July 4, 2022. (Brian Rich/Sun-Times)
Police from several local municipalities including the Illinois State Police search downtown Highland Park after the mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade Monday. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)
Police from several local municipalities including the Illinois State Police search downtown Highland Park after the mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade Monday. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)
Police from several local municipalities including the Illinois State Police search downtown Highland Park after the mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade Monday. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)
Police from several local municipalities including the Illinois State Police search downtown Highland Park after the mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade Monday. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)
Law enforcement officers search downtown Highland Park after the shooting at the July Fourth parade Monday. (Manuel Martinez/WBEZ)
Law enforcement officers search downtown Highland Park after the shooting at the July Fourth parade Monday. (Manuel Martinez/WBEZ)
Law enforcement officers search downtown Highland Park after the shooting at the July Fourth parade Monday. (Manuel Martinez/WBEZ)
Law enforcement officers search downtown Highland Park after the shooting at the July Fourth parade Monday. (Manuel Martinez/WBEZ)
A tactical officer rides to his assigned post after after the shooting Highland Park Monday. (Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times)
Police enter the scene in Highland Park. (Karie Angell Luc/For the Sun-Times)
An officer with unused park inflatables in Highland Park. (Karie Angell Luc/For the Sun-Times)
A tactical officer stands ready in Highland Park. (Karie Angell Luc/For the Sun-Times)
Right, Tom Mahoney of Northbrook, chaplain, leads prayer during the prayer vigil at American Legion Post 791 of Northbrook. (Karie Angell Luc/For the Sun-Times)
James Ossey of Glenview, commander of the American Legion Post 791 of Northbrook, bows his head in thought before starting the prayer service at the post. Images from July 4, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc/For the Sun-Times)
The Northbrook parade and most other area parades were cancelled. (Karie Angell Luc/For the Sun-Times)
Dr. Brigham Temple gives an update outside of Highland Park Hospital about the 26 victims that were brought to the hospital. Monday, July 4, 2022. (Brian Rich/Sun-Times)
Lake County sergeant Christopher Covelli gives an update about the Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park. Monday, July 4, 2022. (Brian Rich/Sun-Times)
Nurse Barbara Cook gives an update outside of Highland Park Hospital about the 26 victims that were brought to the hospital. Monday, July 4, 2022. (Brian Rich/Sun-Times)
Doctor Mark Talmonti gives an update outside of Highland Park Hospital about the 26 victims that were brought to the hospital. Monday, July 4, 2022. (Brian Rich/Sun-Times)
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering gives an update about the Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park. Monday, July 4, 2022. (Brian Rich/Sun-Times)
Patrol Commander Chris O’Neill gives an update about the Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park. Monday, July 4, 2022. (Brian Rich/Sun-Times)
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