A mass shooter murdered six people at a July 4th parade outside of Chicago, while two Philadelphia police officers were shot during the city’s fireworks celebration.
Summary
A mass shooter murdered six people at a July 4th parade in Highland Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, while two Philadelphia police officers were shot during the city’s fireworks celebration.
- A gunman fired more than seventy rounds into an Independence Day parade crowd, killing six and wounding more than 36 people.
- The victims included grandfather Nicholas Toledo, who was visiting his grandchildren from Mexico, and Highland Park area synagogue teacher Jacki Sundheim.
- Most of the wounded suffered gunshot wounds and ranged in age from 8 to 85. The motive for the attack is not yet known.
- The parade began at 10 am. The assailant began firing from a rooftop about ten minutes into the event.
- The suspected shooter, Robert E. Crimo III, 21, initially evaded capture by dressing in women’s clothing and blending into the crowd but was taken into custody Monday evening after a short chase.
- Police said the suspected shooter purchased his weapon legally and had planned the attack for weeks. Charges are expected to be filed Tuesday.
- Later that same day, two Philadelphia police officers were shot and wounded near a Fourth of July concert and fireworks show. Both officers have been released from the hospital.
- The New York Times summarized everything known so far about the Highland Park shooting, including additional details about the suspects’ disguise and activities in the hours between the attack and his arrest.
- CNN reported that YouTube and Spotify removed content published by the shooting suspect hours after the attack. One has to wonder how social media companies are able to take down conservative content without much delay while leaving up posts glorifying mass shootings.
- Slate reported from the scene of the Highland Park parade shooting, describing the “haunting” visage of abandoned parade chairs and baby strollers left behind in the chaos.
- The Wall Street Journal covered the shooting in detail and noted the high-powered rifle the shooter used was one of four firearms the gunman recently purchased legally. The gunman also had a long social media history of posting videos and images glorifying mass shootings.
- National Review observed the perpetrator of the Highland Park parade attack was “yet another mass shooter ‘known to law enforcement.’ Jim Geraghty, the author, asks an urgent question: “How many guys like this are out there?”
- The Commentary Podcast discussed the “tragic Fourth of July” and the implications of the “horrible massacre in Highland Park.”
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© Dominic Moore, 2022
