At least 10 ambulances have been called after a gunman opened fire on people attending a Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park Monday morning.
The incident occurred around 10:20 a.m. near Second Street and Central Avenue in Highland Park.
Numerous attendees at the parade reported hearing gunfire and people began running for safety.
Firefighters and paramedics at the scene reported over their radio that approximately nine people had been shot.
That number has not been officially confirmed but multiple ambulances were seen transporting victims to the hospital.
The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated to the second alarm level, bringing at least 10 ambulances and other fire department units to the scene.
Some attendees said the gunman was on the roof of Uncle Dan’s Camping and Travel, 621 Central Avenue.
Police officers were seen searching the area for the suspect but it is unknown if the suspect had been taken into custody.
The City of Highland Park said on social media that police were responding to an “incident” but did not provide further details.
City officials said Fourth Fest has been canceled and that people should avoid downtown Highland Park.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said in an alert that they were assisting Highland Park police with the shooting and asked everyone to avoid the area so law enforcement and first responders could work the scene.
The Illinois State Police said on Twitter that they were assisting with an “active shooter situation” in Highland Park.
Officials for the Village of Deerfield, which is next to Highland Park, said on social media that their Family Days activities had been cleared and their parade canceled due to the shooting in Highland Park.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said he and his staff are “closely monitoring” the situation.
“State police are on the scene and we have made all state resources available to the community. We will continue working with local officials to help those affected,” Pritzker said.