Six people have been confirmed dead and 24 injured at a 4th of July parade in the US after a gunman opened fire in a crowd.
Officers are continuing their search for a suspect who is thought to have fired on the festivities from a rooftop, police confirmed on Monday.
Highland Park Police Chief Chris O’Neill, who was on scene, urged the public to stay put as authorities search for the suspect - who has been described as a white man wearing a white or blue T-shirt.
The horrific incident happened during the annual procession in Highland Park, Illinois. The parade was stopped just 10 minutes after it started at 10am local time on Monday, with hundreds of attendees running for safety.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office confirmed there had been a shooting at a parade, Tweeting: "We are assisting Highland Park Police with a shooting in the area of the Independence Day parade route. STAY OUT OF THE AREA - allow law-enforcement and first responders to do their work."
Parade-goers left behind chairs, prams and picnic blankets as they fled the event route on Central Street in the city's downtown area, Mirror UK reports.
Local media reports several witnesses describing hearing multiple gunshots being fired.
It is understood up to nine people were injured, though this has not been confirmed by police.
A reporter for the Chicago-Sun Times said they saw five people bloodied and a blanket covering one person.
Police and fire engines have been pictured at the scene and officers are said to be patrolling with rifles.
A heavy presence of emergency responders were already attending the parade prior to the incident.
No information has been released on the suspect, or the extent of any injuries.
A video, posted to TikTok, shows people sitting on a grass bank watching a brass band adorned in American flags marching past before people repeat "gunshots" over and over.
A woman is heard shouting "Oh my God!" as the marchers quicken into a jog and spectators begin to clamber to their feet.
The cameraperson, who appears to be a young boy, says in a panicked voice: "Oh my God, it's gun shots! I can't believe I actually recorded that!"
He repeats himself a couple of times before sirens can be heard and he says "Ma!"
The parade was scheduled to finish at 10pm, with performing acts, floats and live music on the agenda.
More as we get it.
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