At least six people have been killed and dozens more seriously injured after a gunman opened fire on a July 4 parade near Chicago.
According to officials, the shooter – who is still believed to be at large – opened fire on the crowd in Highland Park with a rifle.
Highland Park Police Commander Chris O’Neill urged people to stay inside while officers search for the suspect who is described as a white man in a white or blue T-shirt.
Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said the man apparently opened fire from a rooftop with a rifle that was recovered at the scene.
He confirmed that police believe there was only one shooter and that he should still be considered armed and dangerous.
According to The Chicago Sun-Times, the parade stopped after just 10 minutes when shots were fired.
Several witnesses told the newspaper that they heard gunshots shortly after 10 a.m. and that hundreds of people in attendance at the parade – some visibly bleeding – fled the route, leaving behind chairs, strollers and blankets.
A Sun-Times reporter saw blankets placed over three bloodied bodies.
Highland Park resident Debbie Glickman told the Associated Press she was in a parade with her co-workers when she saw people fleeing the area.
“People started saying ‘there’s a shooter, there’s a shooter, there’s a shooter.’
“So we just ran. We just ran. It’s like massive chaos down there.”
Illinois Congressman Brad Schneider, who attended the event, tweeted, “The loss of lives and other injuries has been seen.
“My condolences to the family and loved ones; my prayers for the wounded and for my community; and my commitment to do everything possible to make our children, our peoples, our nation safer. ‘enough is enough!’