US police arrest suspect in Independence Day mass shooting attack


US police have arrested a suspect after six people were killed in a mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois, the BBC reports.

Robert E Crimo III, 22, was detained after a brief chase, police said.
The gunman climbed on to a roof, shooting randomly at spectators using a high-powered rifle.
It is the latest mass shooting to hit the US – there has been one in every week of 2022. President Joe Biden said he was “shocked” by the violence.
Hours later, two police officers were wounded in a shooting in Philadelphia during a Fourth of July fireworks display.
Mr Crimo was detained after a manhunt. He was referred to as a “person of interest” in Monday’s shooting, but after his arrest police said they believed he was responsible.
The gunman opened fire at the parade, near the city of Chicago, at around 10:15 local time (15:15 GMT), just a few minutes after it began.
The event was scheduled to include floats, marching bands, and community entertainment as part of the city’s Independence Day celebrations.
But what should have been one of the happiest days of the year quickly turned to panic, with pushchairs, purses and lawn chairs left discarded on the street as crowds fled from the scene. Some witnesses 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.”
Five adults were killed at the scene, as well as a further victim who the local coroner said died in a nearby hospital. At least two dozen others were injured.
One of those who died has been named as Nicolas Toledo, a man in his late 70s, who was only there because he requires full-time care and his family did not want to miss the event.
“What was supposed to be a fun family day turned into a horrific nightmare for us all,” his granddaughter Xochil Toledo wrote on GoFundMe.
“As a family we are broken, and numb. Our condolences go out to all the other families who lost a love one today.”
Another victim of the shooting has been named as Jacki Sundheim, who was described by her local synagogue as a “beloved” member who taught and worshipped there.
“There are no words sufficient to express the depth of our grief for Jacki’s death and sympathy for her family and loved ones,” a statement by North Shore Congregation Israel synagogue said.
Recollecting the events of the day, Anand P, who was at the parade said: “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.”