Source: Diego Parra via pixabay.com
On Monday, America was struck with another tragedy as a mass shooting occurred during the Fourth of July celebrations. This mass shooting occurred in Highland Park, Illinois and was done by one gunman who fired into the crowd of people watching the Chicago Fourth of July parade.
This shooting left dozens of people injured, six people dead, and the entire nation was thrown into a state of mourning which contradicted their initial state of patriotic celebration. The first victim was identified as a 76-year-old grandfather, Nicolas Toledo, who was identified by his family.
The New York Times reported that he used a wheelchair and did not want to attend the parade but he had to be there because his family was there also because of his disabilities. Another victim was revealed to be Jacki Sundheim, she was a teacher at the Gates of Learning Preschool. She was identified by a local synagogue, a Jewish house of worship.
The suspect is revealed to be Robert “Bobby” E. Crimo III, a 22-year-old man. He is yet to be formally charged for the shooting and it is said that he carried out the shooting from the top of a nearby building and he ran away after. He was soon caught by the police near Lake Forest, Illinois, and taken into custody immediately after.
The mayor of Highland Park, Nancy Rotering, believes that Crimo bought the weapon he used legally. The weapon was found on the rooftop where the shooting was done, and it was described as a “high-powered rifle”. According to the spokesperson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Kim Nerheim, the authorities are currently trying to trace down where it was bought and who purchased the firearm.
The suspect is said to have released music under the name of “Awake the Rapper” on several music platforms and made music videos with dark and sinister lyrics and imagery. His music videos often mentioned gun violence and in a video of his titled “Are you Awake”, an animated figure could be seen carrying out a mass shooting. The animated figure resembles Crimo and is said to be a foreshadowing of his actions.
Gun violence continues to be a very hot topic and a prominent problem in America. This incident sparked the ongoing debate surrounding gun laws in the country. This incident is said to be the third most deadly shooting in America this year.
