Nancy Rotering, Highland Park Mayor, says that the man police suspect of being involved in the shooting is Opening fireOn the town’s Fourth of Jul parade At least seven people must be killed and leaving more than two dozen injured, was someone she knew — she says she was a Cub Scout leader to him as a child.
Rotering said that he was not certain what compelled him to do this kind of evil in his hometown. However, he stated that the city is currently in deep mourning and it will take some time for all of this to be healed. Rotering spoke to CBS Mornings on Tuesday.
Witnesses and police said that the gunman opened fire on the crowd Monday from the roof of a nearby business. Investigators say that the gunman used a high-powered rifle to attack the crowd. According to the police and mayor, the weapon was Legally obtained.
Nearly nine hour later, Robert Crimo III (21 years old), was identified as a Person of interestThe arrest of, took place.
Rotering recalls Crimo as a “sweet little boy” during her time as his Cub Scout leader.
She stated that the community was “in shock” after the fatal incident.
“When you see a city uniting to celebrate freedom, independence, you shouldn’t have to be afraid for your own life,” she stated. “That’s not what this country is about, and we have to do something about that.”
As community members celebrated the Fourth of Jul parade for the first-time in two years, the mayor was the leader of the parade. Rotering stated that a series shots started to erupt, confusing the crowd and causing panic amongst those in attendance.
She stated that she noticed a marching band speeding down the sidewalk at one time and couldn’t figure out what they were doing. “I thought that maybe they were late for the performance. Then suddenly police cars started racing towards us. Again it felt like ‘Well…maybe somebody’s having heart attacks.’ It was not obvious that there was a mass shooting taking place in my neighborhood.
She called gun violence “a singular American issue” and said it requires more access mental health care.
Rotering asked, “How many times must we go through this drill?” Rotering posed the question. Rotering said, “There is literally a handbook that was given to me by many mayors. It tells me what to do after a mass shooting.” We must have a more open discussion about the reasons these weapons of warfare are still allowed to be used in our society.
Source: CBS News
