* Rep. Morgan this morning…
* Lynn Sweet was on the scene…
* As of 1 o’clock this afternoon, five people are reported dead and the shooter was still at large. Multiple Independence Day parades in the area have been canceled.
* Sen. Julie Morrison represents the town…
“Today while participating in the Highland Park 4th of July parade, my family and I — and the entire Highland Park community — experienced the trauma of what far too many across the country are experiencing: the paralyzing terror of gun violence.
“Like so many other families, I was with my husband, our three children and our grandchildren on what was to be a day of festivities and a beloved community event. Instead, we were running for safety, desperately praying that no one would die from the gunshots we heard in the distance.
“Even in Highland Park, a town with some of the strictest gun laws in Illinois, lives are at risk from the lack of gun control.
“Gun violence has been normalized and no one is to blame except elected officials who have the power to put their constituents’ lives ahead of the gun lobby, but fail to do so every chance they get. Instead we have a Supreme Court that just put our country on a path to even more guns on our streets and a Congress that’s patting themselves on the back over a watered down gun reform package that does little to stop the death sentence that is life in America right now.
“I am enraged by the gun free-for-all that’s killing our children, our seniors and everyone in between. The only way we can end this crisis is for our state and federal government to pass the laws that we’ve all been demanding. Until that happens, we are not safe anywhere—not at our places of worship, our schools, our community gatherings. If you’re not committed to saving lives then you have absolutely no place in public office.
“Thank you to the first responders who bravely stepped in to an active shooting and undoubtedly saved hundreds of lives today. I pray for healing for the victims — and my promise to you is that my years-long crusade against gun violence will continue stronger than ever.”
* US Rep…
* Governor…
* GOP nominee…
* Actual info…
* Police said this afternoon that a rifle has been recovered, but that the at-large shooter should still be considered armed and dangerous.
…Adding… Gov. Pritzker…
Today, I ask all Illinoisans to pray for the families who have been devastated by the evil unleashed this morning in Highland Park, for those who have lost loved ones and for those who have been injured. I also ask that we all pray for our first responders at all levels of government who are actively working to bring the suspect into custody, and whose bravery undoubtedly saved innocent lives on the scene.
There are no words for the kind of monster who lies in wait and fires into a crowd of families with children celebrating a holiday with their community. There are no words for the kind of evil that robs our neighbors of their hopes, their dreams, their futures. There are no words I can offer to lift the pain of those they leave behind. Please know that our state grieves with you, that MK and I grieve with you.
But grief will not bring the victims back, and prayers alone will not put a stop to the terror of rampant gun violence in our country.
I will stand firm with Illinoisans and Americans: we must - and we will - end this plague of gun violence.
* Ugh…
…Adding… Just surreal…
* Lt. Gov. Stratton…
The pain that we are feeling today is not normal and never should be. My family and I are praying for the Highland Park community and all who attended the 4th of July parade today to celebrate our country only to have that celebration turned into tragedy. Our state is saddened and stunned by this horrific act of gun violence. We must lean on each other for comfort, and pray for the lives lost, those injured, their family and friends, as well as the brave first responders from every government agency working this mass shooting. As we struggle to process all that is happening today, we must again say ENOUGH. There are too many guns on our streets and we must enact common sense gun laws, stricter policies, and put resources in place to build the safe, healthy communities everyone deserves. Today we mourn with the people of Highland Park, and we make it clear that we see them and all who are impacted by gun violence in our state by remaining committed to healing from such immense pain.
…Adding… They got him…
* Gov. Pritzker…
Good afternoon. I want to begin by honoring the heroic actions of law enforcement who ran toward the gunshots they heard today. In particular, lives were saved because the Highland Park Police courageously protected and served their community.
I also want to thank our Illinois State Police who have been coordinating on the ground since this morning with Highland Park PD, neighboring police forces, the County Task force, FBI and ATF. Our troopers will continue the investigation and search until the job is done.
To the residents of Highland Park and surrounding communities: This murderer will be brought to justice. But until that happens, please follow instructions from local authorities on how best to keep you and your family safe. And please know that every resource at the state’s disposal will be available to you in the days and weeks ahead as you recover from this horrific tragedy.
A little while ago, I spoke with President Biden who pledged all support the White House can provide. The President agrees with me: This madness must stop.
This morning a gunman opened fire on a July Fourth parade in Highland Park, taking 6 innocent lives, leaving 24 people in the hospital, traumatizing countless children and families, and shattering the peace of this community.
The families of 6 individuals woke up today to join a community celebration of our nation’s independence. They will go to bed tonight less than whole.
There are no words for the kind of evil that shows up at a public celebration of freedom, hides on a roof and shoots innocent people with an assault rifle. There are no words I can offer to lessen the pain of those families who will no longer associate the 4th of July with celebration, but instead with grief. Please know that our state grieves with you, that MK and I and our family grieve with you.
It is devastating that a celebration of America was ripped apart by our uniquely American plague. A day dedicated to freedom has put into stark relief the one freedom we as a nation refuse to uphold – the freedom of our fellow citizens to live without the daily fear of gun violence.
You know what I love about the 4th of July? We celebrate the founding of this wonderful nation by gathering with family and friends, and enjoying parades and fireworks. Our cameras on days like this are filled with messy faces and reckless smiles and pretty sunsets – an effort to bottle up that unique feeling of sun-filled joy.
That’s what evil took from us today. That’s what gun violence robs us of — no matter the neighborhood or city it erupts in.
If you are angry today, I’m here to tell you to be angry. I’m furious. I’m furious that yet more innocent lives were taken by gun violence. I’m furious that their loved ones are forever broken by what took place today. I’m furious that children and their families have been traumatized. I’m furious that this is happening in communities all across Illinois and America. I’m furious because it does not have to be this way and yet we as a nation, well, we continue to allow this to happen. While we celebrate the 4th of July just once a year, mass shootings have become our weekly – yes, weekly – American tradition.
There are going to be people who say that today is not the day, that now is not the time, to talk about guns. I’m telling you there is no better day and no better time than right here and right now.
It’s the 4th of July - a day for reflection on our freedoms. Our founders carried muskets, not assault weapons. And I don’t think a single one of them would have said you have a constitutional right to an assault weapon with a high capacity magazine — or that that is more important than the right of the people who attended this parade today to live.
So yes, I’m angry. We as a nation deserve better.
May the memory of those we lost today be a blessing – and a call to action.
* Rep. Morgan…
Today, State Representative Bob Morgan released the following statement:
“One of our most sacred traditions of celebrating our Nation’s Independence was desecrated today while we began marching in the Highland Park Fourth of July Parade.
I don’t know when the shooter will be captured, nor what his motivations were - and right now I don’t care.
What I do know is that there are families that have been torn apart; children who will have nightmares from their trauma; a community that will never fully heal. What I also know is that we are the only country in the world where this happens. I will fight every second of every day to do whatever possible in the General Assembly to make sure this tragedy never happens again.
We will continue to update with any information regarding crisis resources. Please hold my community in your prayers tonight - they need healing both physically and spiritually.”
* AG Raoul…
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued a statement on the mass shooting that occurred at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois.
“Our country is once again rocked by another devastating mass shooting, this time at what should have been a joyous event. My heart is broken for the families and community that came together today in Highland Park to celebrate the birth of our nation. I am praying for those who lost loved ones today and for the survivors who experienced unimaginable trauma.
“Statements like these are becoming too frequent, which is why I remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to prevent the mass tragedies that have devastated too many families. I will continue to collaborate with federal law enforcement, such as the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center to ensure that community and faith leaders have access to training that can help prevent these horrific mass casualty events.
“I would like to thank the members of law enforcement and the first responders who ran selflessly toward the danger today. Investigators from my office continue to be on the scene assisting local, state and federal law enforcement. My office will also offer services to the families of those who were killed and to the survivors of this horrific incident. While a person of interest has been apprehended as a result of the collaborative work of law enforcement, it is critical that anyone with information that could help this ongoing investigation to report it immediately by calling 1-800–CALL FBI.”
* US Sen. Duckworth…
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement regarding this morning’s mass shooting at Highland Park’s July 4th parade after joining Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering and other officials to give an update on the status of the investigation:
“Absolutely terrifying. Illinoisans who set out this morning to celebrate our Independence Day and watch Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade found themselves running for their lives. At least six of them will never make it home. Someone’s child. Someone’s grandparent.
“My heart goes out to the families who will never see their loved ones again and I join the entire Highland Park community in grieving their losses and wishing swift recoveries for the victims who survived.
“Every community deserves to be safe from senseless gun violence, and I’ve made clear to both Governor Pritzker and Mayor Rotering that I will do whatever I can at the federal level to get them the resources they need to not just catch the shooter, but to help Highland Park recover from this tragedy.
“Last month, Congress proved that bipartisan compromises on gun safety are possible. Today proved that we can’t stop there. We have to do more to keep our communities safe. We have to pass additional commonsense reforms that wide majorities of Americans are crying out for—that 6 Illinoisans can no longer cry out for. I won’t let their memories be forgotten.”
…Adding… Darren Bailey is clearly out of his element here…
When reached by VICE News, Bailey’s spokesman sent out a statement saying “I apologize if in any way we diminished the pain being felt across our state today.”
“I am heartbroken by today’s tragic events and the pain and loss felt by so many. My intent was to pray for the victims and those affected by today’s tragedy and for the shooter to be caught and prosecuted without further loss,” he said in the statement.
“I hope we can all come together in prayer and action to address rampant crime and mental heath [sic] issues to make sure these horrific tragedies don’t happen again.”
In 2020, Bailey’s team held a fundraiser featuring a raffle for a semi-automatic rifle.
There is no history of “rampant crime” in Highland Park. Everything he said today was out of touch with reality and completely lacked empathy.
* And check out this very odd statement from Iris Martinez…
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Iris Y. Martinez Condemns the Senseless Shootings in Highland Park Today
“My heart bleeds today for the families who lost loves and seriously injured many in today’s senseless shooting at Highland Park’s 4th of July Parade, says Clerk Martinez.
The 4th of July is supposed to be a joyous day of celebration remembering those lost for our freedom. Now the nation is looking upon our state due to these random tragedies. “How safe are we, when we cannot no longer celebrate our freedom and be imprisoned in our homes”, says Martinez
Sending out a press release on a topic like this riddled with typos and confusing Memorial Day with Independence Day is a bizarre insult to the victims.
…Adding… Harmon…
Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement after a gunman opened fire at a Highland Park Fourth of July parade, killing six and injuring dozens:
“It is particularly heart-wrenching to imagine a celebration of America’s freedom cut short by a deadly rampage.
My heart aches for the people who gathered in Highland Park today with every expectation of celebrating a peaceful holiday with friends, family and neighbors.
This horrifying attack is a reminder that gun violence is not confined to a specific region or location. It touches us all.
I offer my deepest condolences and sincerest prayers for the Highland Park community today, and I vow to continue to build on the progress we have made in the State Senate to combat gun violence.”
* McConchie…
Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) released the below statement following the mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, and the subsequent capture of the alleged perpetrator:
“Today, we witnessed an attack on America right in our own backyard. As we continue to mourn and grieve with the people of Highland Park, the recovery and healing of this horrific act of domestic terrorism will be a long journey ahead.
“During a time when fellow Americans, our neighbors, were celebrating our great nation, we witnessed pure evil. This will be a tragedy never forgotten.
“I join the many others in thanking the heroic work of our law enforcement, who kept the community safe in the moments after the shooting and successfully apprehended the suspect. I also join in thanking the first responders, doctors, and paramedics for their swift actions to help the innocent victims.
“As we await justice under the law, I will continue to offer my prayers and full support to the community of Highland Park.”
* More details…
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering told NBC’s “Today Show” that the weapon suspect Robert Crimo III used in the deadly Fourth of July parade shooting was “legally obtained” — and now the U.S. needs to re-examine gun laws in its aftermath.
The Illinois mayor said she is waiting Tuesday for prosecutors to file charges against the 22-year-old accused of killing at least six and wounding more than 30 in yesterday’s attack. […]
Rotering told the “Today Show” that she did not know where the gun that was used in the attack came from, but noted that it was “legally obtained.”
“I think at some point the nation needs to have a conversation about these weekly events involving the murder of dozens of people with legally-obtained guns,” Rotering continued. “If that is what our laws stand for, then I think we need to re-examine the laws.”
