THE suspect in the Fourth of July parade shooting that killed six people and injured dozens of others has been taken into custody.
Robert “Bobby” E Crimo III, 22, was taken in by police after an officer noticed him driving and a brief chase ensued.
Crimo was taken to the Highland Park Police Department to be questioned on his possible involvement.
A North Chicago police officer spotted Crimo while he was driving in Lake Forest on 41 and Westleigh, prompting a brief chase before Crimo came to a stop and he was taken without incident.
It is being reported that he was driving a 2010 Silver Honda Fit with license plate: IL DM80653.
Police said Crimo was considered to be armed and dangerous.
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According to the FBI, Crimo has the following tattoos: four tally marks with a line through them on his right cheek, red roses and green leaves on his neck and cursive script above his left eyebrow.
FBI agents appeared to be searching a residence where the suspect reportedly lives with his father and uncle, according to local reporters.
Gunshots rang out just 10 minutes after the start of a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois – about 25 miles north of Chicago – on Monday.
In the aftermath of the shooting, beach chairs, baby strollers, backpacks and blankets were abandoned across the parade grounds as people sought cover.
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Highland police believe the shooter scaled a ladder in an alley to access the roof of a business and then proceeded to open fire at parade-goers.
“He was very discreet and very difficult to see,” Lake County Major Crimes Task Force spokesman Chris Covelli said.
Shortly after the shooting, authorities recovered a "high-powered rifle" believed to have been used in the mass shooting.
The suspect's motive appears to be random, investigators said.
"By all means, at this point, this appears to be completely random," Covelli said.
The Lake County coroner's office said five victims, all adults, were declared dead at the scene, while a sixth victim died at a local hospital.
Nicolas Toledo, 78, has been identified as one of the six victims killed in the mass shooting, his family confirmed to CBS Chicago.
“We are all feeling pretty numb. We’re all pretty broken inside,” his granddaughter told the outlet.
First responders transported 23 people to area hospitals plus an unknown number of walk-ins.
Several witnesses told the Chicago-Sun Times that they heard about 20-25 shots fired.
“I heard 20 to 25 shots, which were in rapid succession. So it couldn’t have been just a handgun or a shotgun,” Miles Zaremski told the outlet.
The witness said he saw "people in that area that got shot,” including “a woman covered with blood."
“It was a quiet, peaceful, lovely morning, people were enjoying the parade,” bystander Adrienne Drell told the Chicago-Sun Times.
“Within seconds, to have that peacefulness suddenly ripped apart, it’s scary. You can’t go anywhere, you can’t find peace. I think we are falling apart.”
'SOMETHING'S WRONG'
Witness Zoe Pawelczek told CNN parade-goers initially thought the array of pops were fireworks given the occasion.
"And I was like, something's wrong. I grabbed my dad and started running. All of a sudden, everyone behind us started running," she said.
"I looked back probably 20 feet away from me. I saw a girl shot and killed."
Pawelczek and her father hid behind a dumpster for about an hour until police moved them into a sporting goods store and then eventually escorted them back to their car, she said.
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.
"It looked like a battle zone, and it's disgusting. It's really disgusting," she said.
Warren Fried, who attended the parade with his wife and seven-year-old twins, said he watched the police and ambulance pass by him at the parade and afterward heard an array of gunshots.
He said people began yelling "shooter" and "run," and he and his family fled toward their car for safety.
"People were hiding, kids were on the streets looking for their parents, just in a state of shock," Fried told CNN.
The shooting terrorized residents of the wealthy Chicago suburb, where the median home is valued at $535,000 and more than 75 percent of people 25 and over have a college degree, according to US Census data.
BIDEN DENOUNCES GUN VIOLENCE
President Joe Biden released a statement following the tragic event, saying he's been in touch with the mayor of Highland and the governor of Illinois.
"Jill and I are shocked by the senseless gun violence that has yet again brought grief to an American community on this Independence Day.
"As always, we are grateful for the first responders and law enforcement on the scene. I have spoken to Governor Pritzker and Mayor Rotering, and have offered the full support of the Federal government to their communities.
"I also surged Federal law enforcement to assist in the urgent search for the shooter, who remains at large at this time.
"Members of the community should follow guidance from leadership on the ground, and I will monitor closely as we learn more about those whose lives have been lost and pray for those who are in the hospital with grievous injuries," he added.
Illinois Rep. Brad Schneider tweeted he and his team were gathered at the start of the parade route when the shooting began.
"Hearing of loss of life and others injured," Schneider tweeted.
"My condolences to the family and loved ones; my prayers for the injured and for my community; and my commitment to do everything I can to make our children, our towns, our nation safer. Enough is enough!"
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Highland Park's July 4th parade was expected to feature floats, marching bands, novelty groups, community entries and other special entertainment, the city said on its website.
Nearby suburbs have canceled their Fourth of July parades in the wake of the shooting.
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