Highland Park mass shooting: Photos from the scene of 4th of July parade

Dozens of mourners gather for a vigil near Central Avenue and St Johns Avenue in downtown Highland Park, one day after a gunman killed at least seven people and wounded dozens more by firing an AR-15-style rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday evening, July 5, 2022.

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.

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Highland Park parade shooting coverage

“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.

Mourners gather for a vigil near Central Avenue and St Johns Avenue in downtown Highland Park in Highland Park, Illinois, Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

Dozens of mourners gather for a vigil near Central Avenue and St Johns Avenue in downtown Highland Park on Tuesday, a day after a gunman killed seven people and wounded dozens more by firing a semi-automatic rifle from a rooftop on a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade. — Dozens of mourners gather for a vigil near Central Avenue and St Johns Avenue in downtown Highland Park, one day after a gunman killed at least seven people and wounded dozens more by firing an AR-15-style rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday evening, July 5, 2022.

Highland Park Police Chief Louis Jogmen and Mayor Nancy Rotering walk with Vice President Kamala Harris before she speaks at a news conference on Central Avenue near Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, one day after a gunman killed at least seven people and wounded dozens more by firing an AR-15-style rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland ParkÕs Fourth of July parade, Tuesday evening, July 5, 2022.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to the media in downtown Highland Park in Highland Park, Illinois, Tuesday, July 5, 2022.|

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a news conference on Central Avenue near Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, one day after a gunman killed at least seven people and wounded dozens more by firing an AR-15-style rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday evening, July 5, 2022.

Vice President Kamala Harris hugs Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering in downtown Highland Park in Highland Park, Illinois, Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks with Highland Park Police Chief Lou Jogmen and Mayor Nancy Rotering in downtown Highland Park in Highland Park, Illinois, Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

Flowers sit on a curb near a child’s bicycle as members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate near Central Avenue and Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, one day after a gunman killed at least seven people and wounded dozens more by firing an AR-15-style rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday afternoon, July 5, 2022.

Crime scene tape hangs from a pole near a child’s bicycle as members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate near Central Avenue and Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, one day after a gunman killed at least seven people and wounded dozens more by firing an AR-15-style rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade.

Pieces of cloth and with written letters hang on a line at a vigil near Central Avenue and St Johns Avenue in downtown Highland Park in Highland Park, Illinois, Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

Hillary Heller and her 19-year-old daughter Lucy Heller hug and cry with their friend, Shannon Rowe (in pink), all from Highland Park, after listening to Vice President Kamala Harris speak at a news conference on Central Avenue near Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park, one day after a gunman killed at least seven people and wounded dozens more by firing an AR-15-style rifle from a rooftop onto a crowd attending Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade, Tuesday evening, July 5, 2022.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Members of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Unit investigate in downtown Highland Park after a gunman killed seven people and wounded dozens. Alleged gunman Robert “Bobby” Crimo III, who was arrested later that day about 10 miles from the shooting scene, was ordered held without bond on seven counts of first-degree murder at a court hearing Tuesday. — 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.

Terrified parade-goers fled Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade after shots were fired, leaving behind their belongings as they sought safety.

Chairs and other items left behind by parade-goers in Highland Park who fled after shots rang out. — Terrified parade-goers fled Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade after shots were fired, leaving behind their belongings as they sought safety.

Scooters and bicycles were left behind after shots were fired during the Highland Park Fourth of July parade, Monday.

Police escort people away from the parade scene after the shooting in Highland Park Monday.

Law enforcement officers escort a family away from the parade scene after the shooting in Highland Park Monday.

Law enforcement searched two homes in Highland Park thought to be related to the person of interest in the parade shooting.

Downtown Highland Park after the mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade Monday.

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.

Law enforcement works the scene after a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park. Monday, July 4, 2022.

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.

Law enforcement officers search downtown Highland Park after the shooting at the July Fourth parade Monday.

A tactical officer rides to his assigned post after after the shooting Highland Park Monday.

Police enter the scene in Highland Park.

An officer with unused park inflatables in Highland Park.

A tactical officer stands ready in Highland Park.

Right, Tom Mahoney of Northbrook, chaplain, leads prayer during the prayer vigil at American Legion Post 791 of Northbrook.

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.

The Northbrook parade and most other area parades were cancelled.

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.

Lake County sergeant Christopher Covelli gives an update about the Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park. Monday, July 4, 2022.

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.

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.

Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering gives an update about the Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park. Monday, July 4, 2022.

Patrol Commander Chris O’Neill gives an update about the Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park. Monday, July 4, 2022.

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PHOTOS: Sun-Times photographers on the scene in Highland Park on the day after

Here’s a look at photos taken by Sun-Times photographers following the Fourth of July mass shooting in Highland Park.

Highland Park parade shooting coverage