Police have arrested a suspect, Robert E Crimo III after six people were killed in a mass shooting at the US Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois.
Gatekeepers News reports that Crimo, 22, who was detained after a brief chase had climbed onto a roof, shooting randomly at spectators using a high-powered rifle.
The Independence Day shooting is the most recent mass shooting to hit the US as there has been one recorded every week of year 2022.
Although Crimo was referred to as a “person of interest” in Monday’s shooting, after his arrest police said they believed he was responsible.
The gunman opened fire few minutes after the parade began, near the city of Chicago, at around 10:15 local time (15:15 GMT).
The celebration was scheduled to include floats, marching bands, and community entertainment, ended in panic, fear and lost of lives.
Pushchairs, purses and lawn chairs were left discarded on the street as crowds fled from the scene.
Some witnesses who spoke with BBC said they thought the sound of gunfire was fireworks.
The gunman fired at members of the public from the rooftop of a nearby shop, where police recovered “evidence of a firearm.”
The shootings led to the death of five adults at the scene, and also further victim who the local coroner said died in a nearby hospital. Meanwhile not less than two dozen others were injured.
Some of the died victims who have been named include Nicolas Toledo, a man in his late 70s; and Jacki Sundheim, a local synagogue member
A witness identified as Anand P, who was at the parade narrated her experience, “We went to have a nice family day out – and then suddenly all this gunfire happens.
“At the time I personally wanted to believe it was a car backfiring. Then people started running – so we start running.”
Another witness, Noel Hara, described how he was having breakfast at Starbucks after dropping off his son at the parade, when the chaos unfolded.
Hara said, “About 30 people suddenly came rushing in screaming and we were locked into the Starbucks bathroom.
“Moments later, they evacuated us from the Starbucks because they thought the shooter was trying to get in the back door.”
Although no charges have been filed against Crimo, there is no indication of any motive.
