Robert E. Crimo III has been taken into custody near Lake Forest, IL, authorities said during a brief news conference just before 8 p.m. ET.
Authorities said Crimo was spotted by a North Chicago officer who attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Crimo then fled and led officers on a brief pursuit before being stopped in Lake Forest, Illinois.
He was taken into custody without incident and will be taken to the Highland Park police department.
When asked, authorities said they are still calling Crimo a “person of interest” while they investigate and connect him to the scene.
Authorities have now identified the suspect in the mass shooting in Highland Park today.
Highland Park Police Lou Jogmen said 22-year-old Robert E. Crimo III, is a “person of interest” in the crime.
He is believed to be driving a 2010 silver Honda Fit with Illinois license plate DM80653.
Numerous law enforcement is working to apprehend Crimo.
He is considered armed and dangerous, officials said.
Authorities have now confirmed that 6 people were killed and at least 30 wounded in a mass shooting at the Highland Park 4th of July parade this morning. 19 of those who were hospitalized have now been released.
According to a Fox32 News alert, shots were fired about 10 minutes after the parade kicked off at 10 a.m. Monday, striking an unknown number of parade-goers and sending hundreds of people running for safety.
Highland Park Police Commander Chris O’Neill said Crimo, who is still on the loose and is considered armed and dangerous, is described as a white male, 18 to 20 years old, long black hair, small build and was wearing a white or blue T-shirt. He said a rifle was recovered on the scene.
The Chicago Sun-Times quoted Highland Park resident Miles Zaremski as saying “I heard 20 to 25 shots which were rapid in succession.”
He said the gunfire was at Central Avenue and Second Avenue. “It was people in that area that got shot, murdered, from a little child I saw, I don’t know if he survived, to a woman covered with blood and she did not survive. And there were others as well.”
A Chicago Sun-Times reporter saw blankets covering three bloodied bodies and five other people wounded and bloodied near the parade’s reviewing stand.
Illinois State Police called it an active shooter situation and said they are assisting Highland Park Police. The public is being advised to avoid the area of Central Avenue and 2nd Street.
Several North Shore suburbs have cancelled 4th of July festivities in the wake of the shooting.
Police told citizens to disburse immediately. The area is being patrolled by rifle-carrying officers at the moment.
Reports indicate that the area had a heavy police presence prior to the incident.
This story is developing…
