On July 4, tragedy struck a suburb 25 minutes outside of Chicago as members of the Highland Park community celebrated America’s independence at the annual parade. Now, we are learning about a grandfather who became one of the shooter’s victims.
According to reports, shortly after the Fourth of July parade began, a gunman opened fire, killing and injuring several people. According to NBC News, police believe Robert “Bobby” Crimo III is responsible for killing 6 and injuring at least 26 more after he opened fire on a Fourth of July parade.
Grandfather Who Just Moved to America Identified as One of the Victims in Highland Park Shooting: ‘He Didn’t Want to Attend the Parade’
As Mamas Uncut previously reported, police first began their hunt for Crimo after spotting what appeared to be a sniper on a downtown rooftop. The person then fled on foot as officers approached and a short pursuit began.
Crimo was arrested without incident after surrendering peacefully. A motive for the mass shooting has not been revealed publicly.
Now, several of the victims who lost their lives yesterday are being identified. As veteran journalist Katie Couric reported on Instagram, one of the victims is 76-year-old Nicolas Toledo.
According to Toledo’s family, he “didn’t want to attend the parade, but his disabilities required that he be around someone full-time, and his family didn’t want to miss the parade.”
The New York Times further reported that Toledo “was sitting in his wheelchair along the parade route, between his son and a nephew, when bullets started flying. Mr. Toledo was shot three times, and his son and granddaughter’s boyfriend were also shot, but their injuries were not life-threatening.”
“We’re all still in shock,” Toledo’s granddaughter Xochil Toledo, his granddaughter said. “We thought it was part of the parade — then we realized our grandfather was hit. We saw blood and everything splattered onto us.”
As Couric continued, it was reported that Toledo had only just moved to Highland Park a few months ago after living in Mexico to be closer to family. His family thought he would be safer in America.
“We brought him over here so he could have a better life. His sons wanted to take care of him and be more in his life, and then this tragedy happens.” Heartbreaking.