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FBI on duty: searching for clues after the assassination
Photo: Stacey Wescott/AP
The alleged shooter of Highland Park is said to have organized the fatal shooting at the US Independence Day parade for some time.
Robert C., the arrested suspect, had been planning the crime for weeks, police said at a press conference.
He bought the murder weapon, a rifle with high penetrating power, legally.
On Monday, July 4th, he then fired 70 shots from a roof during the festival parade.
Six people were killed and around 30 people were injured.
Police said the 21-year-old left his gun at the scene.
He fled to his mother's house in women's clothing, which he apparently wanted to use to camouflage himself and cover his tattoos.
A few hours after the attack, the police arrested C. after a manhunt.
He is said to have been traveling in his mother's car, which contained a gun similar to the murder weapon.
It is said that other legally purchased weapons were found in his house.
The motive for the attack during Independence Day is still unclear.
Although the crime took place in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, the police said there was no evidence of an anti-Semitic or racist background to the crime.
It is still unclear what the exact charge against C. will be.
It had previously become known that C. was said to have published music videos with scenes of gun violence online before the crime.
The social media accounts believed to be attributable to C. have since been blocked.
Highland Park in shock
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said the community of 30,000 is still in shock.
"This tragedy should never have happened on our doorstep," she told NBC News.
In the small town, everyone knows someone who is affected.
She has known the suspect since he was a boy scout.
"What happened?
How could anyone get so angry and hateful?” she said.
The gun attack during US Independence Day celebrations sparked national outrage.
People between the ages of eight and 85 were injured in the attack in the affluent suburb of Chicago, Illinois.
The flags in the USA are now flown at half-staff.
Out of respect for the victims of the crime, this applies to the White House, all public buildings and military bases in the United States as well as to US embassies and consulates worldwide up to and including Saturday, said US President Joe Biden.
ptz/Reuters/AP
