White Sox cancel fireworks after parade shooting
The White Sox canceled their postgame fireworks celebration on Monday in the wake of a mass shooting at an Independence Day…
The Chicago White Sox canceled their postgame fireworks celebration on Monday in the wake of a mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago that left at least six people dead and wounded at least 30 others.
A moment of silence will be held before the start of Chicago’s game against Minnesota, which will proceed as scheduled at 7:10 p.m. CT from Guaranteed Rate Field.
“Our hearts are with the Highland Park community. The entire Chicago White Sox organization expresses our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the innocent victims of today’s horrific shooting and all of those who have been affected by this tragedy,” the team said in a statement.
Authorities said a gunman opened fire around 10:15 a.m. local time, when the parade was about three-quarters through, sending hundreds of marchers, parents with strollers and children on bicycles fleeing in terror.
The suspect, who fired from a concealed spot on a rooftop, remained on the loose hours later as authorities scoured the area. Highland Park Police Commander Chris O’Neill, the incident commander on scene, urged people to shelter in place as authorities search for the suspect. He said Monday afternoon that a “very active apprehension effort” was underway.
Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said at a news conference “several of the deceased victims” died at the scene and one was taken to a hospital and died there. Police have not released details about the victims or wounded.
Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek said the five people killed at the parade were adults and she doesn’t have information on the sixth victim who was taken to a hospital and died there.
Dr. Brigham Temple, medical director of emergency preparedness for NorthShore University Health Center, said the Highland Park hospital received 26 patients after the attack and all but one had gunshot wounds. Their ages ranged from 8 to 85, and Temple estimated that four or five patients were children.
He said 19 of them were treated and discharged. Others were transferred to other hospitals, while two patients, in stable condition, remained at the Highland Park hospital.
Covelli said the gunman apparently used a “high-powered rifle” to fire from a spot atop a commercial building where he was “very difficult to see.” He said the rifle was recovered at the scene. Police also found a ladder attached to the building.
Highland Park is a close-knit community of about 30,000 people located on the shores of Lake Michigan just north of Chicago. NBA legend Michael Jordan lived in the city for years when he played for the Chicago Bulls.
Several nearby cities canceled events including parades and fireworks, some of them noting that the Highland Park shooter was still at large.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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