A woman views the candles and flowers left for the victims of the July 4th parade shooting on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 in Highland Park, Illinois.
In pictures: 4th of July shooting in Highland Park, Illinois
A woman views the candles and flowers left for the victims of the July 4th parade shooting on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 in Highland Park, Illinois.
Taylor Glascock for CNN

Updated 11:02 PM EDT, Tue July 5, 2022

A mass shooting at an Independence Day parade Monday in a Chicago suburb left at least seven people dead, wounded dozens more and sparked a manhunt for a gunman who fired on unsuspecting attendees from a rooftop, authorities said.

The shooting in Highland Park, about 25 miles north of Chicago, began shortly after 10 a.m. CT as people enjoyed a sunny Fourth of July parade along Central Avenue.

Firearm evidence was found on the rooftop of a nearby business, police commander Chris O'Neill said. The shooter used a ladder attached to the building on a wall in an alley to access the roof, said Sgt. Chris Covelli of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.

The gun was a "high-powered rifle" and the attack appeared to be "random" and "intentional," Covelli said.

Highland Park Police Lou Jogmen on Monday evening identified Robert E. Crimo III, 21, as a person of interest.

According to authorities, Crimo was taken into custody near Lake Forest just before 8 p.m. ET. Investigators believe Crimo planned the attack "for several weeks," a spokesperson for Lake County authorities said Tuesday.

A woman lights a candle at a memorial for the victims.
A woman lights a candle at a memorial for the victims.
Taylor Glascock for CNN
Ellie Zuckerman, left, 18, holds her friend Ava Turner , 17, during a vigil for the victims on July 5.
Ellie Zuckerman, left, 18, holds her friend Ava Turner , 17, during a vigil for the victims on July 5.
Taylor Glascock for CNN
Elizabeth Zweiback cries during a candlelight vigil for the victims. Zweiback and her husband were marching in the parade with the Maureen Township food bank when the attack started. "We ran for our lives," she said.
Elizabeth Zweiback cries during a candlelight vigil for the victims. Zweiback and her husband were marching in the parade with the Maureen Township food bank when the attack started. "We ran for our lives," she said.
Taylor Glascock for CNN
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to a crowd of journalists and onlookers on July 5. "Yesterday, it should have been a day to come together with family and friends to celebrate our nation's independence and instead, that community suffered a violent tragedy," Harris said, adding that "we need to stop this violence."
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to a crowd of journalists and onlookers on July 5. "Yesterday, it should have been a day to come together with family and friends to celebrate our nation's independence and instead, that community suffered a violent tragedy," Harris said, adding that "we need to stop this violence."
Taylor Glascock for CNN
Journalists and residents listen during a press conference on July 5.
Journalists and residents listen during a press conference on July 5.
Taylor Glascock for CNN
A Lake Forest police officer walks down Central Avenue in Highland Park on July 4.
A Lake Forest police officer walks down Central Avenue in Highland Park on July 4.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/AP
Members of the FBI evidence response team work at the scene a day after the shooting in downtown Highland Park on July 5.
Members of the FBI evidence response team work at the scene a day after the shooting in downtown Highland Park on July 5.
Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
According to authorities, suspect Robert E. Crimo III was taken into custody near Lake Forest, Illinois, just before 8 p.m. ET.
According to authorities, suspect Robert E. Crimo III was taken into custody near Lake Forest, Illinois, just before 8 p.m. ET.
WLS
A body is transported from the scene of the shooting on July 4.
A body is transported from the scene of the shooting on July 4.
Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/AP
Students are escorted by police officers to safety after a mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade on Monday.
Students are escorted by police officers to safety after a mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade on Monday.
Nam Y. Huh/AP
Law enforcement officers searched a building for the man suspected of shooting multiple people on Monday in Highland Park, Illinois, who was still at large.
Law enforcement officers searched a building for the man suspected of shooting multiple people on Monday in Highland Park, Illinois, who was still at large.
Nam Y. Huh/AP
Law enforcement officers help evacuate people from a store in Highland Park on Monday.
Law enforcement officers help evacuate people from a store in Highland Park on Monday.
Brian Cassella/AP
Officers on the scene after a shooting in Highland Park.
Officers on the scene after a shooting in Highland Park.
Jim Vondruska/Getty Images
Officers investigate the scene of the shooting.
Officers investigate the scene of the shooting.
Tannen Maury/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Sgt. Chris Covelli of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force speaks to the media.
Sgt. Chris Covelli of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force speaks to the media.
Youngrae Kiim/AFP/Getty images
A woman wipes tears after a shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade.
A woman wipes tears after a shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade.
Nam Y. Huh/AP
Law enforcement officers investigate the scene of the shooting.
Law enforcement officers investigate the scene of the shooting.
Tannen Maury/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Chairs and bicycles lie abandoned after people fled the scene. Police said they recovered a rifle on the roof where they believe the shooter was located.
Chairs and bicycles lie abandoned after people fled the scene. Police said they recovered a rifle on the roof where they believe the shooter was located.
Tannen Maury/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
A police officer reacts as he walks in downtown Highland Park after the shooting on July 4.
A police officer reacts as he walks in downtown Highland Park after the shooting on July 4.
Nam Y. Huh/AP
Police gather at the scene of the shooting in Highland Park on Monday.
Police gather at the scene of the shooting in Highland Park on Monday.
WLS-TV/ABC7/Reuters