The City of Highland Park website confirmed the death toll and said 19 others were taken to the hospital. According to The Chicago Sun-Times, the parade was halted after just 10 minutes when shots were fired. Several witnesses told the newspaper that they heard gunshots shortly after 10 a.m. and that hundreds of marchers – some visibly covered in blood – fled the route, leaving behind chairs, strollers and blankets. A Sun-Times reporter saw blankets placed over three bloody bodies. Police told people, “It’s not safe to be here.” Highland Park resident Debbie Glickman told The Associated Press she was at a parade with co-workers when she saw people running away from the area. “People started saying ‘there’s a shooter, there’s a shooter, there’s a shooter.’ “So we just ran. We just ran. It’s like mass chaos down there.” Illinois Rep. Brad Snyder, who was at the event, tweeted: “Heard of loss of life and more injured. “My condolences to the family and loved ones, my prayers for the injured and my community, and my commitment to doing everything I can to make our children, our cities, our nation safer. Enough is enough!” “ City leaders tweeted: “Police are responding to an incident in downtown Highland Park. The fourth festival has been canceled. Avoid downtown Highland Park. More information will be shared as it becomes available.”
