Adedicated synagogue worker and a grandfather watching Fourth of July festivities from his wheelchair were among the victims of a shooting in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, where celebrations were shattered as a gunman opened fire at a parade, killing six people and injuring at least two dozen others.Several vigils and prayer gatherings were planned Tuesday in honor of victims in the suburban city north of Chicago that was left shaken and mourning after its holiday celebrations were marred by the tragedy of yet another mass shooting.
Five victims, all adults, were killed along the parade route Monday, and a sixth died at the hospital, according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek. She did not have additional information on the sixth victim. No children have died, Lake County Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said Tuesday
At least one of the victims was a Mexican national, Roberto Velasco Álvarez, the head of the Mexican Foreign Ministry’s North America unit, tweeted Monday.
“I’m furious because it does not have to be this way," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a news conference Monday.
Authorities have not publicly released the names of the people killed in the shooting. However, the names of some of the victims emerged Tuesday.
At least one of the victims was a Mexican national, Roberto Velasco Álvarez, the head of the Mexican Foreign Ministry’s North America unit, tweeted Monday.
“I’m furious because it does not have to be this way," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a news conference Monday.
Authorities have not publicly released the names of the people killed in the shooting. However, the names of some of the victims emerged Tuesday.
Nicolas Toledo, 76, was among the victims, his granddaughter, Alba Toledo, 23, confirmed in Spanish in a message to USA TODAY, adding their family is "shattered."
"It's an enormous pain," she said.
"Believe me my grandfather was a great person, with an enormous heart, he was the best grandfather, loving, attentive," she added.He wasn't sure he wanted to go to the parade, but his family — who had excitedly set up chairs along the parade route the night before — brought him to the event to watch in his wheelchair, another of his granddaughters, Xochil Toledo, told the Chicago Sun-Times.