Chicago: At least six people have been killed and 24 injured after a gunfire incident broke out at a July Fourth parade in a posh locality of Chicago on the evening of July 4.
The authorities have informed that a massive manhunt has been launched by the police to catch the culprit.
According to the police, the perpetrator is believed to be a white man between the ages of 18 and 20 having long black hair and it has been reported that he allegedly opened fire at about 10:14 a.m. The police have also recovered a high-powered rifle and the search for the gunman is on.
Officials have said that the police were unaware of the shooter's presence and the imminent threat that he posed and had no clue that the assailant was holed up nearby.
An active shooting incident has been confirmed in the city of Highland Park and all individuals have been advised to take adequate shelter.
The police were spotted scouring rooftops around Central Avenue near Green Bay Road and Second Street in the aftermath of the gunfire.
"It does appear that he was shooting from a roof," Lake County Sheriff's Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli told reporters. The shooter got to his elevated locale by scaling a ladder, attached to a building, Covelli added.
Notably, scores of police and fire personnel were included in the parade. The police approached the gunman shortly after gunfire erupted, and as a result of which, he fled from the spot.
Covelli said that he was discreet and challenging to spot.
Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek said that five of the six killed died on the spot while the sixth victim died at the hospital.
Highland Park Fire Chief Joe Schrage said that of the injured person, ten were taken to Highland Park Hospital, six to Lake Forest Hospital and seven to Evanston Hospital.
Meanwhile, paradegoers who might have lost contact with friends and family at the event were urged to go to the Highland Park Police Department to be reunited with them.
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