5 Killed In Shooting At A Fourth Of July Parade In US' Illinois: Report

The shooting occurred "in the space of the Independence Day march course," the Lake County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Colton Jeralds, an off-duty police officer, monitors the streets (Source: AFP)

New Delhi: Five people were killed and several others were wounded after a gunman started firing during a parade in the northern Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Illinois Monday morning, as per the City of Highland Park's website. "We are assisting Highland Park Police with a shooting in the area of the Independence Day parade route," Lake County Sheriff, Illinois, US said. As per local reports, a gunman began firing from the roof of a retail store into the parade below.

We are assisting Highland Park Police with a shooting in the area of the Independence Day parade route. STAY OUT OF THE AREA - allow law-enforcement and first responders to do their work. pic.twitter.com/PTut6CGZAe

— Lake County Sheriff (@LakeCoILSheriff) July 4, 2022

A video going viral on social media shows march members unexpectedly escaping in panic as gunfire erupted on the roads. Families are seen sitting on a walkway watching the motorcade. In the next frame, they are seen jumping up starting from the earliest stage and running, and a voice shouting "gunshots" can be heard in the background.

One doctor said, “I did CPR on a 9-year-old until the paramedics pushed me off. This was a mass casualty zone. I saw two people eviscerated by the AR-15,” as tweeted by Shannon Watts, @shannonrwatts, whose bio says, “Founder of @MomsDemand, grassroots army of @Everytown / “Fight Like a Mother” author / Boards @WeAdvancePeace, @EmergeAmerica / On IG and TikTok @shannonrwatts

A mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in Highland a park, Illinois, has morphed into a hostage situation inside a grocery store. This is the horrific but logical outcome of a nation awash in too many guns regulated by too few laws. https://t.co/wVZNmNwVPI

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) July 4, 2022

The shooting occurred "in the space of the Independence Day march course," the Lake County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. Police told people: “Everybody disperse, please. It is not safe to be here.”