Picnic chairs, flags, strollers, toys, water bottles. The pieces of family gatherings. Phones and shoes too. A community that started the day ready to mark this all-American Fourth of July ritual ended this Independence Day numb. Highland Park is another community that wonders why? How? Another community, once again, will ask the same questions. the same discussion will go on and on. How did the gunman get the gun? Where did he get it? Should he have? Could this have been prevented? Image: A child’s bicycle is left behind on Central Avenue near the scene of the mass shooting Robert E Crimo III, known as Bobby, is white and just 22 years old. He was arrested after an eight-hour manhunt. An internet search of his name revealed a social media footprint that will be vital to investigators. An amateur rapper with a fascination with guns. In due course, prosecutors will argue that this is a manifesto for mass murder. His motives at this stage are not clear. The affluent neighborhood has a large Jewish population – is this another hate crime against a particular community? It is a line of research. Shot on multiple smartphones, the shootings shattered a scene of America at its patriotic best, exposing the nation’s bloody worst. An unusual volley of gunfire rang out on a street that had been closed for the community’s Fourth of July parade. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:38 Gunman opens fire in Chicago Third major mass attack since May You can see some people running in panic. Others are undeterred. For a moment, they think the noise is part of the show. But quickly everyone realizes that this is another mass shooting. And this time it’s their neighborhood. The gunman was shooting from a rooftop, taking out his fellow Americans – young and old. It is the third major mass killing in the United States since May. Ten people, all black, were killed in Buffalo, New York, on May 14 when a white gunman, allegedly motivated by racial hatred, opened fire at a grocery store. Ten days later, 19 children and two teachers were gunned down at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. That led the US Congress, divided over the gun debate, to pass reforms to gun control legislation signed by President Biden last week. The reforms were modest in scope, but still hailed as a big step forward given the divide over gun ownership in America. “Battle for America’s Soul” In Washington last night, a moment of silence and a hastily rewritten Fourth of July speech from the US president. He expressed his rage, his sorrow, his anger. Beyond that, the essence of his message reflects the predicament in which this country finds itself. He acknowledged the deep divisions, but tried to strike a tone of optimism for the future. “We remain in an ongoing battle for America’s soul, as we have for more than 200 years…” the president said. “I know it can be tiring and worrying, but tonight, I want you to know that we will get through this.” “I know that many Americans look around us today and see a divided country and are deeply troubled by this fact. I understand. But I believe that we are more united than divided… “…we are a great nation because we are good people. It is because of you that I have never been more optimistic about America than I am today.” As the sun rises over Lake Michigan this morning, the lakeside community of Highland Park will begin the slow process of recovery starting July 4, 2022. It will unite communities across the country – schools, churches, supermarkets, now a community parade. Highland Park is another community devastated by gun violence.
