A man suspected of killing at least six people and seriously injuring dozens more at the July 4 parade in Chicago has been arrested, police said.
A Highland Park police spokesman said the suspect, 22-year-old Robert E Crimo III, was spotted by a patrolman trying to start stopping the vehicle.
The suspect fled and after a brief chase, the police were able to stop him and put him in jail.
Police had previously said he should be considered armed and dangerous.
The attacker opened fire on a crowd in Highland Park, according to officials.
Christopher Covelli, a spokesman for the Lake County Main Crime Task Force, said he appeared to have opened fire from a rooftop with a high-powered rifle recovered at the scene.
Mr Covelli confirmed police believe there was only one shooter.
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Chicago gunman
Nancy Rotering, mayor of Highland Park, said: “This morning at 10.14, our community was terrorized by an act of violence that has impacted our core.
“Our hearts go out to the families of the victims at this devastating time.
“On a day when we come together to celebrate community and freedom, we are instead mourning the tragic loss of life and grappling with the horrors inflicted on us. “
An FBI tactical team arrives on the scene after the Highland Park shooting
According to The Chicago Sun-Times, the parade was stopped after just 10 minutes when shots were fired.
Several witnesses told the newspaper they heard gunfire and hundreds of marchers – some clearly bloody – fled the route, leaving chairs, strollers and blankets behind.
Debbie Glickman, of Highland Park, told The Associated Press she was on a float parade with colleagues when she saw people flee 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 was like mass chaos down there.”
A child’s bicycle was abandoned on Central Avenue near the scene of the mass shooting
JB Pritzker, governor of Illinois, said: “There are no words for the kind of monster that lies in wait
and exploded into crowds of families with children celebrating with their community. “
And Congressman Brad Schneider, who was at the event, tweeted: “My condolences to the family and loved ones; my prayers for those injured and for my community; and commitment My commitment will do all I can to make our children, our town, our Nation safer. Enough is enough!”
Children’s strollers and water bottles left behind on Central Avenue
“Jill and I are shocked by the senseless gun violence that has once again brought grief to the American community on this Independence Day,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.
“I recently signed the first major bipartisan gun reform bill in nearly 30 years, which includes actions that will save lives.
“But there’s more work to be done, and I won’t give up fighting the gun violence pandemic.”
