July 4, 2022 Highland Park, Illinois, parade shooting | CNN (2024)

Suspected gunman Robert “Bobby” CrimoIII posted online music videos he apparently made that featured ominous sounding lyrics and animated scenes of gun violence.

In one videotitled “Are you Awake,” Crimo is seen with multicolored hair and face tattoos and is narrating, “I need to just do it. It is my destiny.”

The video shows a cartoon animation of a stick-figure man – who resembles Crimo – in tactical gear carrying out an attack with a rifle.

In another videotitled “Toy Soldier,” a similar stick-figure cartoon character resembling Crimo is depictedlyingface down on the floor in a pool of his own blood, surrounded bypolice officers with their guns drawn.

Crimo, who calls himself “Awake the Rapper,” posted his music on several major streaming outlets and on a personal website. The Facebook and Twitter accounts believed to belong to Crimo were taken down after he was named as a person of interest in the mass shooting that killed at least six people. His Facebook profile photo showed him wearing a helmet with a camera mount, a face cover and a multicolored jacket.

On September 24, he posted a video on Twitter that shows him sitting on a set resembling a classroom, wearing a helmet and posing in various scenes while an instrumental arrangement of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” plays in the background.

He had not posted on Twitter since October 26, 2021, when he wrote, “I am not a robot.”

In yet anothermusic video for asong titled“On My Mind,”Crimoperforms in a classroom set filled with desks, lockers and chalkboards. In the last minute of thevideo,theviewersseea shot ofCrimoreaching into his backpack before the music abruptly cuts. Then,Crimois seen wearing a helmet and a tactical vest, dropping bullets onto the floor of the classroom, with the music from a popular shooting video game,“Call of Duty,” playing over the scene.

The videos appear to have been posted online last year.

Monday’s deadly shooting was an American tragedy, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin said during a visit to Highland Park.

“What happened at the parade and all the poor victims and those who were killed in the process breaks my heart,” he said.

Durbin, the Senate majoritywhip, touted the recently passed bipartisan gun bill as an important step, but said there are things it didn’t address.

“There is no reason for a person to own a military assault weapon. It has no value for hunting, or sports or even self-defense,” he said. “It is a killing machine.”

He said he was on vacation and drove seven hours to get to Highland Park as soon as he heard about the shooting.

The senator said it was a day people will remember for a long time.

After praising the efforts of first responders, Durbin said: “It was the best of America with those (emergency responders) that I just described, it was the worst of America that a man took a rifle – a high velocity rifle – and turned it on innocent people and ruined lives and ruined many families in many ways.”

Durbin also urged people to vote in elections.

“If you’re sick and tired of that and think that’s not what America should be all about, elect people who feel like you do,” he said.

An empty wagon and American flags remain near the scene of the shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, on Monday, July 4.

When authorities discussed the apprehension of Robert E. Crimo III during an evening news conference, Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesperson Christopher Covelli said calling a person a suspect or a person of interest amounts to the same thing.

Law enforcement officials have “processed a significant amount of digital evidence today which helped lead investigators in this direction.So, calling somebody a suspect or person of interest, it’s really synonymous,” he said.“This individual is believed to have been responsible for what happened and the investigation will continue.Charges have not been approved yet at this time – and we are a long way from that.”

Earlier, as law enforcement searched for Crimo, police labeled him “a person of interest” and the FBI said, “He being sought for his alleged involvement in the shooting of multiple individuals at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois.”

Ryan Lerman, a delivery driver, captured the moments that suspected shooter Robert E. Crimo IIIwas taken into custody near Lake Forest, Illinois.

Lerman told CNN he had been following the news, so he noticed the Honda Fit right away.

“He was there for a minute and then like seven cop cars showed up,” Lerman said.

In the video, police can be heard giving commands for Crimo to get out of the vehicle. Police with guns drawn are seen as Crimo exits the vehicle with his hands in the air.

An uncle of the man taken into custody in connection with the shooting told CNN he saw no warning signs that would prompt him to believe his nephew would have been involved in such a tragedy.

Paul A. Crimo said he spoke at length to law enforcement Monday about his nephew, Robert “Bobby” Crimo III, and said “(i)t seems like he is the suspect.”

“I’m heartbroken. I’m so heartbroken,” Paul said. “There were no signs that I saw that would make him do this.”

He said has not ever seen Bobby engage in any violence or concerning behavior. “I have nothing bad to say about him,” he said.

Paul said he does not know of any political views held by his nephew.

“He’s a quiet kid,” he said. “He’s usually on his own. He’s a lonely, quiet person. He keeps everything to himself.”

Bobby lives in an apartment behind the house owned by his father – and Paul’s brother – Robert Crimo Jr., he said. Paul also lives at the house in the city of Highwood, he said.

He never saw any friends coming over to Bobby’s place, he said, and to his knowledge, Bobby did not have a job, though he worked at Panera Bread before the coronavirus pandemic. Paul described him as active on YouTube.

“I associate with him, but I don’t really like to engage with him. I say hi and then when I leave I say bye. That’s it,” he said, though he noted he has known Bobby since he was born.

Paul said he last saw his nephew Sunday evening, when Bobby was sitting on a recliner in the house, looking at his computer. He said when he came home, Bobby was probably in his room. “Everything was as normal,” he said.

Paul said he spoke to the FBI around 2:30 p.m. Monday after he returned home and they “ran me through the ringer.” His brother, who was not at home at the time, gave law enforcement officials permission to search the home, he said.

“We are good people here, and to have this is devastating,” Paul told CNN, also noting his brother once ran for mayor. “I’m so heartbroken for all the families who lost their lives.”

The scene where Crimo was reportedly taken into custody.

Robert E. Crimo IIIhas been taken into custody near Lake Forest, Illinois, authorities said during a brief news conference just before 8 p.m. ET.

Authorities said Crimo was spotted by a North Chicago officer who attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Crimo then fled and led officers on a brief pursuit before being stopped in Lake Forest, Illinois.

He was taken into custody without incident and will be taken to the Highland Park police department.

When asked, authorities said they are still calling Crimo a “person of interest” while they investigate and connect him to the scene.

Rainan Lowrey, 19, was in his apartment overlooking the parade route in Highland Park, Illinois, on Monday when he heard gunshots. Lowrey said he didn’t realize they were gunshots at first and thought the noise was from fireworks.

In a video Lowrey recorded, gunshots can be heard immediately, and people can be seen fleeing the scene. The video continues with more sounds of gunshots – for nearly 20 seconds in the minute-long video – and people can be heard screaming.

After he ended his recording, Lowrey said he went downstairs and, along with other neighbors, let people into the building’s lobby to get to safety.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this,” he said. “You don’t expect something like this to happen.”

He said that police later searched his apartment building and that he has shared the video he recorded with the authorities.

Watch the video:

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02:34 - Source: cnn

Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth said she is working to help get the Highland Park community any resources they need, both in regards to the manhunt for the suspect that is currently underway and also in the weeks and months ahead as people recover from the tragedy.

Duckworth said she’s been in touch with President Biden and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, who she said have both pledged to send resources that are needed.

“This morning, I got up like most Americans, like the families of the six who were killed, to celebrate life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Those six families no longer have that opportunity,” Duckworth said.

In a speech Monday evening hours after a mass shooting killed six people, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzkeraddressed the Highland Park community, saying “there are no words” to describe the loss and grief the families of those killed and injured feel this holiday. after a gunman opened fire during a July 4th parade.

“The families of six individualswoke up today to join acommunity celebration of ournation’s Independence.They will go to bed tonightless than whole,” he said.

The governor said he had spoken to President Biden, who has pledged federal support. He also said the state of Illinois will make resources available to those who were affected by the shooting. Law enforcement are currently still searching for the suspect, and have identified a person of interest.

“It is devastating that acelebration of America wasripped apart by our uniquelyAmerican plague,” Pritzker said. “A day dedicated to freedom hasput into stark relief theone freedom we, as a nation,refused to uphold.The freedom of our fellowcitizens to live without thedaily fear of gun violence.”

The FBI has established an intake platform where members of the public can upload digital info and tips relating to the deadly shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, Monday.

FBI-Chicago requests that anyone with information regarding the shooting incident submit it to the following number: 1-800-CALLFBI

Further, digital media, including video and photographs may be submitted to:https://www.fbi.gov/highlandpark

The shooting is still an active and ongoing investigation, according to the FBI-Chicago.

Highland Park Police Chief Lou Jogmen said they have identified a person of interest, Robert E. Crimo III, who is being sought for his alleged involvement in the mass shooting at this morning’s July 4thparade.

Crimo has not been named as a suspect, and CNN is seeking further information on why police have named him a person of interest.

Crimo is believed to be driving a 2010 silver Honda Fit with Illinois license plate DM80653.

Numerous law enforcement agencies are working to apprehend him.

He is considered armed and dangerous, officials said.

This post has been updated with the latest information.

All members of the Highland Park High School band and football team — which were each involved this morning’s July 4thparade — are safe, according to a statement from the school district’s superintendent.

Highland Park High School will have counselors available for students and staff members tomorrow, the statement noted.

“It goes without saying that yet another incident of gun violence has caused irreparable harm and hurt…” Law said.“Please, do not hesitate to reach out if you or someone in your family needs to talk.”

A total of 26 patients were received at Highland Park Hospital, according to Dr. Brigham Temple, medical director of NorthShore University Health System.

Here’s what he said about the patients:

A woman wipes tears after a shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, on July 4.

At least six people were killed and two dozen were injured in a shooting at a 4th of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois. It marks at least the 308th mass shooting in the US this year, according to data compiled by theGun Violence Archive, a nonprofit tracking such incidents.

Highland Park Police is leading the investigation and the Lake County Major Crime Task Force is working directly with the FBI, said Chris Covelli, spokesperson for the task force, in a news conference. The suspect is still at large and considered to be armed and dangerous.

Here’s what we know so far as the manhunt continues:

Authorities are asking that anyone with photos or videos from the parade when the shooting started to contact Highland Park police at847 432-7720.

CNN’S Eric Levenson, Adrienne Broaddus, Shawn Nottingham and Brynn Gingras contributed reporting to this post.

Authorities were asked if any children were transported to the hospital from the scene of the parade shooting and the city fire chief said at least one child was transported.

“At least one of those was a child,” Highland Park Fire Chief Joe Schrage said.

Schrage went on to say, “They were critically injured.”

When asked for clarification on who he was referencing was critically injured, Schrage said “just the child.”

The chief did not have information on the age range.

Some of the victims injured had gunshot wounds and varied from the abdomen to limbs, Schrage went on to say.

An armed law enforcement officer patrols the scene of the Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, on July 4.

City authorities held a second news conference Monday afternoon to give an update on the mass shooting that left at least six people dead during a July 4thparade in Highland Park, Illinois.

The parade’s route, downtown Highland Park and the city’s central business districts remain an active crime scene, Highland Park Police Commander Chris O’Neill said. Authorities are recommending that people living in that area continue to shelter in place.

Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek said there are five adults dead at the scene of the shooting. Those individuals have been identified and officials are working to notify their families.

Banek went on to say another deceased victim was taken to a hospital.

Highland Park Fire Chief Joe Schrage shared information those injured in the shooting, saying that nearly two dozen people were transported to area hospitals by first responders:

Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Chief Chris Covelli added there were also self-transports to area hospitals, and that the total number of people hospitalized may be higher than is currently understood.

Major League Baseball’s Chicago White Sox announced the team will host the Minnesota Twins as scheduled Monday night – but a pre-planned fireworks celebration has been canceled.

A moment of silence will also be observed for those impacted by Monday’s shooting outside of Chicago in Highland Park, Illinois.

The White Sox released the following statement:

Sgt. Chris Covelli speaks at the scene of the Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, on July 4.

Sgt. Chris Covelli, of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, said police believe the shooting suspect got onto the roof of a business by using a ladder in an alley.

“It looks like access to theroof via a ladder in an alleywas unsecure,” he said, adding that the ladder was attached to the building.

Police said previously that they recovered a rifle on the roof of a building where they believe the shooter was, but have not disclosed the exact location.

Covelli said law enforcement is working to determine if the suspect is still within the perimeter they are investigating. He said officers are using drones and other technology to try to locate the suspect.

A police officer reacts as he walks in downtown Highland Park, Chicago, on July 4.

Jennifer Banek, the Lake County coroner, said six people were killed in a shooting at a parade in Highland Park, Illinois. Of those, five of them were dead on the scene and one died at the hospital, according to Banek.

She said all five who died on the site of the parade were adults. She did not have information on the age of the sixth victim.

“There was one that was transported to a local hospital that also died at the hospital. I don’t have any additional information on that victim,” she said.

Jeff Leon, an attendee of Highland Park’s Fourthof July parade, says he heard what “sounded like a string of firecrackers going off inside of a big metal trash bin,” while he was seated across from the Bluemercury store.

Leon said he heard maybe 20 or 30 pops before looking to his right and seeing police movement and people falling, that’s when he and his wife took off.

Leon and his wife were at the parade because their 14-year-old twin boys were marching with the high school football team but the boys still hadn’t come down the parade route when the gunshots broke out, he told CNN’s Victor Blackwell.

“We were going to try to get them,” Leon explained adding that “after about 10 minutes of this sort of duck and hide, duck and hide, people were sort of calmly walking away from the scene.”

Leon said that a shooting in the Highland Park community in Illinois is “just inconceivable.”

The Federal Aviation Administration is banning aircraft from flying over the Highland Park, Illinois, mass shooting scene, as authorities continue to search for the shooter.

A five-mile Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect up to 3,000 feet above the ground except for “relief aircraft” under the direction of the Highland Park Police Department.

Zoe Pawelczak, who attended the Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois, with her father, said many parade-goers initially thought the array of pops were fireworks given the occasion.

Pawelczak and her father hid behind a dumpster for about an hour until police moved them into a sporting goods store, she said, and then eventually escorted them back to their car. She saw one person who had been shot in the ear and had blood all over his face, and another girl who was shot in the leg, she said.

“It looked like a battle zone, and it’s disgusting. It’s really disgusting,” she said.

Chairs and bicycles lie abandoned after people fled the scene of a shooting at a July 4th celebration and parade in Highland Park, Illinois on July 4.

The Highland Park, Illinois shooting marks at least the 308th mass shooting in the US this year, according to data compiled by theGun Violence Archive, a nonprofit tracking such incidents.

The organization defines a mass shooting as involving four or more people shot, not including the shooter.

There have been 11 mass shootings in the first four days of July, including three on July 4 alone, in Richmond, Virginia; Chicago and Highland Park, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

The carnage punctuates an already bloody American spring and summer, including an 18-year-old’sracist attack at a New York supermarketthat killed 10 and another 18-year-old’sshooting at a Texas schoolthat left 19 students and two teachers dead.

In the wake of those massacres, President Biden just nine days ago signed into law the first major federal gun safety legislation in decades, marking a significant bipartisan breakthrough on one of the most contentious policy issues in Washington.

President Joe Biden exits Marine One in Washington, DC, on July 4.

President Biden responded Monday to the shooting during a Highland Park, Illinois, July 4th parade that left at least six dead and dozens injured, writing he and first lady Jill Biden are “shocked by the senseless gun violence that has yet again brought grief to an American community on this Independence Day.”

He said he’s surged federal law enforcement to “assist in the urgent search of the shooter.”

In Monday’s statement, the President touted legislation, signed last week, to address gun violence in the nation, which he said, “includes actions that will save lives,” while acknowledging “much more work to do.”

Investigators are currently searching social media to see if there were any threats or clues made online regarding this morning’s mass shooting in Highland Park.

ChrisCovelli, from the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, said there were no threats he was aware of but said “certainly investigators are combing through social media to see if there’s any clues or any information that they can uncover through social media that might help them with the investigation.”

Covelli said that the suspect’s location made him difficult to see.

“All indications is he was discreet; he was very difficult to see,” he said.

A firearm that was recovered in Highland Park after the shooting is being urgently traced to figure out who purchased the weapon and where it came from, according to Kim Nerheim, spokesperson with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Investigators, who are on scene now, are trying to determine the life of the weapon and how it got into the hands of the shooter, Nerheim said, that includes tracing the serial number, contacting the manufacturer and seeing who the last legal owner of the weapon was.

Sgt. Chris Covelli, of the Lake County Major Crime Take Force, said that a “high-powered rifle” was used during the Highland Park parade shooting.

Cmdr. Chris O’Neill said firearm evidence was located on a rooftop of “a nearby business that was secured.”

Covelli noted that a majority of the victims that were killed during the shooting died at the scene.

“Several of the deceased victimsperished at the scene, and itsounds like one of them wastransported to an area hospitalwhere they perished,” he said.

Covelli added that it appeared that spectators and parade participants were targeted.

Law enforcement search a building after a shooting at the Highland Park Independence Day parade in Illinois on July 4.

Sgt. ChrisCovelli, from the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, said the investigation is still active and will continue to be active while law enforcement officers work to find the alleged shooter and uncover what happened.

“This is two-pronged atthis time — number one, we areaggressively looking for theindividual who’s responsible forthis shooting.Number two, we have the criminalinvestigation that is occurringsimultaneously,” he said.

He said police are working with the FBI and there are more than 100 law enforcement officers on the scene. He urged people to look through their phones and see if they have any photos or videos from the time the shooting started. He said any material could help police.

“Please understand wecan’t give away certain aspectsof the investigation, we don’t want to negatively impact… We want to arrest the offenderand hold him accountable for hisactions,” Covelli said at a news conference on Monday.

Cmdr. Chris O’Neil, of the Highland Park Police, said the rifle that was found was discovered on a rooftop. Earlier Monday, officials said they could not disclose specifically where the rifle was found. Police say they believe the shooter appeared to fire shots from a rooftop.

The City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) and the Chicago Policeare monitoring the incident that has taken place in Highland Park this morning. They said there are “no known threats” to Chicago at this time.

The emergency management office went on to say in a tweet “Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and injured as well as with the entire Highland Park Community.”

Chicago is about 25 miles south of Highland Park.

The City of Evanston, Illinois, closed all beaches and canceled the evening fireworks out of an abundance of caution, according to the city’s official Twitter page.

Evanston is south of Highland Park.

See the tweets:

Police work at the scene of the shooting on Monday.

Highland Park Police is leading the investigation and the Lake County Major Crime Task Force is working directly with the FBI, said the task force spokesperson Chris Covelli in a news conference on Monday.

The suspect is still considered to be armed and dangerous and that there is no indication that he is barricaded anywhere or has any hostages, Covelli said.

He did not disclose the ages of those killed in the shooting, adding that local officials are working with the coroners’ office.

At least six people were killed in the Highland Park Independence Day Parade shooting, officials confirmed.At least 31 have been taken to area hospitals, CNN’s Brynn Gingras reported.

Chairs and blankets are left abandoned after the shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, on Monday.

Rep. Brad Schneider, who lives in Highland Park, Illinois, and represents the state’s 10th Congressional District, says he is still sheltering while police look for the alleged shooter who killed six people at a 4th of July parade.

Schneider said everyone is staying inside and waiting to hear from authorities who are just beginning their investigation. There is a perimeter around the downtown area and residents are urged to stay indoors, officials said at a news conference on Monday.

The lawmaker said he participates in several parades on the 4th of July and was just getting into town when shots were fired and he and his team were “told to detour.”

He said the community “will come together.”

“We will find strength in thesupport of each other, but it’sgoing to take a while to recoverand heal,” Schneider said.

Lynn Sweet, the Washington Bureau Chief for theChicago Sun-Times, described a chaotic scene at the 4th of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, where a gunman killed at least six people.

Sweet said she was at the parade and saw people “stampeding away” from where she was standing, yelling that someone was shooting. She said she went back towards where people were running from and saw “multiple people shot.”

She said walked through the streets of the parade, she saw backpacks and baby carriages left on the ground as people ran away.

Watch a video Sweet took when the shooting started.

At least six peoplehave been killed in a shootingin downtown Highland Park, Illinois, in the area of a July 4th parade, authorities said.

At least 31 people have been transported to area hospitals, CNN’s Brynn Gingras reported.

Here’s a look at the area where the shooting unfolded:

Police respond at the scene of the shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, on Monday.

At least 26 individuals were transported to NorthShore Highland Park Hospital, according to spokesperson Jim Anthony with the NorthShore University Health System.

Five other individuals were transported to NorthShore Evanston Hospital which is a level one trauma facility.

The two facilities are 30 minutes or 12 miles apart.

At least 20 additional doctors were brought into the Highland Park facility in a short time to respond to the shooting, according to Anthony.

The “vast majority” of victims suffered gunshot wounds according to NorthShore University Health System spokesperson Jim Anthony.

There were some injuries caused by the chaos following the shooting.

Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering

Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering addressed residents following the deadly Fourth of July parade shooting, urging them to remain on “high alert” as the situation continues to be “active.”

Rotering said the shooting “terrorized” the community and she sent her condolences to those impacted.

“This morning at 10:14, ourcommunity was terrorized by anact of violence that has shakenus to our core.Our hearts go out to thefamilies of the victims duringthis devastating time.On a day that we came togetherto celebrate community andfreedom, we’re instead mourningthe tragic loss of life andstruggling with the terror thatwas brought upon us,” Rotering said.

The mayor also thanked the first responders who were on scene during the shooting.

Sgt. ChristopherCovelli, from the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, said police have recovered a rifle from the scene of the deadly shooting at a 4th of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois.

Covelli said he could not release details about where the gun was found, but he said it did appear that the shooter was “shooting from a roof,” but did not have information about which roof specifically.

The official said the suspect is not in custody, adding that it is a very active scene and that at this point, the shooting appears to be “completely random.” He also said at this point in the investigation, police believe there was only one shooter.

There is a perimeter around the downtown area and residents are urged to stay indoors, officials said. They also said that it does not appear that the suspect is barricaded anywhere and they are looking to identify the shooter.

Authorities are asking that anyone with video to contact Highland Park police at 847-432-7720.

CNN’s Claudia Dominguez contributed reporting to this post.

Cmdr. Chris O'Neill, Highland Park Police

Cmdr. Chris O’Neill from the Highland Park Police said that law enforcement is still searching for the suspect.

O’Neill provided the following description:

O’Neill said a firearm has been recoveredfrom the scene of the shooting.

The police commander urged individuals in the area toshelter in place at this time.

A police officer stands guard at the scene of the shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, on Monday.

At least six people were killed and two dozen were injured in the shooting at the Highland Park parade, Cmdr. Chris O’Neil, incident commander, told reporters.

O’Neil said that authorities are still looking for the suspect which they describe as a White male between 18-20 years old and is wearing a white or blue t-shirt.

Authorities consider this an active incident.

Authorities are providing an update now on the deadly shooting that unfolded in Highland Park, Illinois.

At least five people are dead and 16 are wounded, according to the city.

The city said police are still searching for the suspect and advised people to shelter in place.

Jeff Leon, 57, told CNN on Mondayhe heard what he believes were gunshots ring out minutes into the start of the July 4th parade inHighland Park, Illinois.

Leon said the shot sounded like “firecrackers in a garbage can,” and it wasn’t until he saw police officers reacting, that he knew anything had happened.

“The police started reacting and I saw some people falling,” Leon said. That’s when he said he and everyone around him left all their belongings and began to run.

“We just took off. And, you know, we, we were hiding behind cars, folding into the next car and making our way,” he said.

Leon says he never saw the gunfire, but he estimates he heard gunshots for less than a minute while they were running.

It was “maybe five to seven minutes later” when there hadn’t been any shots that people stopped running from the scene. “But then we had to find our kids.”

Leon had gone to the parade with family to watch his twins, who are going to be high school freshmen in Fall, march with the football team. He later reunited with his family, who were uninjured.

Leon is a resident of Highwood, Illinois, about a mile from Highland Park, and has lived in the area since 2010.

Police gather at the scene of the shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, on Monday.

Police are still searching for the alleged shooter, Highland Park City said in a statement.

The city said five people were killed and 16 others have been transported to hospital after a gunman opened fire Monday at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, according to the statement.

“All individuals are advised to shelter in place. Law enforcement agencies are searching for the suspect; evidence of a firearm has been recovered,” according to the statement.

Here’s the full statement from the city:

Empty chairs sit along the sidewalk after parade-goers fled Highland Park, Illinois', Fourth of July parade after shots were fired on Monday.

Five people have been killed in a shooting incident in Highland Park, Illinois, according to a news release from the city.

Sixteen people have been transported to the hospital for injuries, according to the release.

The release goes on to say police are still searching for a suspect in the incident but says evidence of a firearm has been recovered from the scene.

The FBI is aware of the situation in Highland Park, Illinois, and has deployed resources to the scene, a spokesperson from FBI Chicago tells CNN.

Earlier, CNN reported that the Illinois State Police troopers responded to a “reported active shooter” at the Highland Park Parade.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot tweeted Monday that Chicago police are “providing assistance” in Highland Park.

The suburb city is located about 25 miles north of downtown Chicago.

“Law enforcement is working hard to bring the shooter into custody,” Lightfoot said.

See the tweets:

As a result of the ongoing incident in downtown Highland Park,Metra is halting train service in the area.

“Metra Alert UP-N - Inbound and outbound train movement halted near Highland park, police activity,” Metra said in atweet.

Metra provides service to and from downtown Chicago.

Several neighboring communities have canceled their 4th of July celebrations after an alleged shooting at a parade in Highland Park, Illinois, on Monday morning.

The City of Evanston tweeted it is canceling celebrations “due to an abundance of caution.” The Village of Deerfield said it cleared activities going on at Jewett Park and canceled the parade.

The Village of Arlington Heights, Illinois, has also canceled the remaining events for Frontier Days, according to their official Twitter account.

“Due to the tragedy that occurred this morning in Highland Park, and out of an abundance of caution, the remaining scheduled activities at Frontier Days, including the evening concert, have been cancelled,” the Arlington Heights, Illinois, tweet reads.

Arlington Heights is located west of Highland Park.

Read the tweets:

Miles Zaremski, a Highland Park, Illinois, resident, told CNN he was walking to the Fourth of July parade when he heard a “pop” and thought that maybe a car backfired.

“And then there were multiple pops,” he told CNN’s Katilan Collins. “I’d say I heard maybe, and I’m guessing, about 30 pops. There was a pause in between, a set of pops, and then a second set of pops. And then the crowd that was on either side of [Central Ave.] started rushing, a stampede like, going west, which is against me,” he explained.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he’s “closely monitoring” the situation in Highland Park.

“State police are on the scene and we have made all state resources available to the community,” the governor tweeted Monday.

Read the governor’s tweet:

Illinois State Police troopers responded to a “reported active shooter” at the Highland Park Parade, and are currently in an “assist role,” they said in a statement.

“This incident is in its infancy and no further information is available at this time,” the state police said.

Rep. Brad Schneider, a Democrat who represents the 10th District in Illinois, tweeted that he and his team were about to join the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park when the “shooting started.”

Schneider wrote that he and his team are safe and are in touch with the mayor as local authorities address the situation. Highland Park Police said earlier that they were responding to an incident downtown.

State Rep. Bob Morgan, of the 58thDistrict, tweeted that there are multiple injuries.

View Schneider’s Twitter thread here:

CNN’s Melanie Schuman and Devon Sayers contributed to this report.

Highland Park, Illinois, police are responding to an incident downtown, according to the city’s Facebook page.A midday festival has now been canceled per authorities.The parade was schedule for 10 a.m. CT (11 a.m. ET).

Authorities are also asking people to avoid downtown Highland Park area, adding that more information will be shared as it becomes available.

Lake County Sheriff’s office said they were assisting Highland Park Police with a “shooting” at a Highland Park Independence day parade.

“We are assisting Highland Park Police with a shooting in the area of the Independence Dayparade route. STAY OUT OF THE AREA - allow law-enforcement and first responders to do their work,” police said in a Facebook post.

A witness, Miles Zaremski, told CNN that he heard what he believed to be 20-25 gunshots. He tells CNN he saw at least one person bloodied and on ground.