Multiple people have been shot at a 4th of July parade in Illinois, according to reports.
Suddenly the parade in Highland Park was stopped around ten minutes after beginning at 10am local time when shots were fired, hitting an unknown number of people, it has been reported.
Hundreds of people were forced to run to safety with witnesses reporting multiple shots fired, reported the Chicago Sun-Times.
A reporter for the paper said they saw blankets covering three bloodied bodies and five other people wounded and bloodied.
State police confirmed officers were responding to an “active shoot” situation at the parade in the suburb around 25 miles away from Chicago, uring residents to avoid the area.
“The Illinois State Police is currently assisting Highland Park PD with an active shoot situation that occurred at the Highland Park Parade,” said state police.
“The public is advised to avoid the area of Central Ave and 2nd St. in Highland Park.”
“We are assisting Highland Park Police with a shooting in the area of the Independence Day parade route,” added Illinois Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Mayor of Highland Park, Nancy Rotering, said: “Highland Park Police are responding to an incident in downtown Highland Park. Fourth Fest has been cancelled.
“Please avoid downtown Highland Park. More information will be shared as it becomes available.”
More follows.
