What was supposed to be a day of celebration turned into one of shock, chaos and mourning for the small American town of Highland Park in Illinois.
At least six people were killed and dozens more were injured Monday when a gunman opened fire at a July 4 parade in the Chicago-area suburb.
Read more:
Highland Park community in ‘incredible shock’ after deadly 4th of July shooting
A person of interest has been arrested in connection with the violence, the latest in a recent series of mass shootings in the United States that includes one at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 and another at a supermarket in a predominantly black. neighborhood in Buffalo, NY, that killed 10.
The motive for the Independence Day shooting remains unclear.
Although police have not released details about the victims, at least two of the dead have been identified.
This is what we know so far.
Nicolás Toledo was described as “a loving, creative, adventurous and fun man” by his family.
Photo Credit: Xochil Toledo/GoFund
Nicolás Toledo, a Mexican man in his 70s visiting family in Illinois, was the first victim identified Monday night by his family.
He was shot and died at the scene, said his granddaughter, Xochil Toledo. the Chicago Sun-Times.
“My grandfather Nicolás Toledo, father of eight children and grandfather of many, left us this morning on July 4. What was supposed to be a fun family day turned into a horrible nightmare for all of us,” said Xochil Toledo in a GoFundMe page created for him.
“Nicolás was not only a loving, creative, adventurous and fun man. As a family we are broken and numb,” he wrote.
Toledo’s family created a GoFundMe page to raise money to send his body back to his native Mexico. The page had raised more than $43,000 as of Tuesday morning.
Toledo had been visiting his family for the past month. He spent his last days swimming and fishing and being with relatives, his family told the media.
Jacki Sundheim was a “happily ever after” and staff member of the nearby North Shore Congregation Israel.
Photo Credit: Israel North Coast Congregation
Another person killed in the shooting was Jacki Sundheim, a teacher at a nearby synagogue.
The North Coast Congregation of Israel confirmed his death on his website.
Sundheim had spent decades on the staff of North Shore Congregation Israel, at first teaching in the congregation’s preschool and later serving as Events and B’nei Mitzvah Coordinator, “all of this with tireless dedication,” the congregation said in its statement announcing his death. .
He was a lifelong congregation member and “beloved” staff member for decades, the synagogue in Glencoe, Illinois, said in a statement.
“There are not enough words to express the depth of our sorrow at Jacki’s death and our sympathy for her family and loved ones,” the NSCI said.
“Jacki’s work, kindness and warmth touched us all, from her teaching at Gates of Learning Preschool to guiding countless of us through life’s joys and sorrows, all with tireless dedication. ”, he added.
She is survived by her husband and daughter.
Twenty-six patients were sent to Highland Park Hospital with gunshot wounds, according to Dr. Bringham Temple, medical director of emergency preparedness at NorthShore University Health Center.
Their ages range from eight to 85, he said, and include four or five children.
Some are in critical condition, including one child, and 19 have been treated and released.
Police confirmed Tuesday that no children have died as a result of the shooting.
Roberto Velasco, Mexico’s director of North American affairs, said on Twitter that two Mexicans were among the injured.
— with Reuters and Associated Press archives
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