'Today our community is mourning and in shock': Illinois state and local leaders react to Highland Park mass shooting

State and local leaders in Illinois condemned a mass shooting that left 6 people dead and at least 24 people hospitalized.

• Leaders in Illinois condemned the mass shooting and issued calls to address gun violence.
• At least 6 people died and 24 people have been hospitalized after a shooting in Highland Park.
• "Our community is mourning and in shock," Lake County board member Paul Frank told Insider.

State and local leaders in Illinois condemned the mass shooting in which at least six people died and more than 24 parade attendees were hospitalized after a gunman opened fire from a rooftop at the July 4th parade in Highland Park. 

Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker issued a statement with a call to "end this plague of gun violence." 

"There are no words for the kind of monster who lies in wait and fires into a crowd of families with children celebrating a holiday with their community," Pritzker said in the statement. "Prayers alone will not put a stop to the terror of rampant gun violence in our country." 

—Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) July 4, 2022

The Highland Park shooting marks a latest episode in another deadly year of gun violence in the US and comes weeks after the shooting in May in which 19 children and 2 teachers were killed by a mass shooter at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

In a press conference Monday, Highland Park mayor Nancy Rotering said that the city was receiving offers of help from federal, state, county and fellow municipalities. The FBI is involved in local law enforcement's investigation and search for the gunman, who was still at large as of Monday afternoon, according to police officials. 

"On a day that we came together to celebrate community and freedom, we're instead mourning the tragic loss of life and struggling with the terror that was brought upon us," Rotering said. "At this point, we know six people have lost their lives, and we are grieving for them and their families. Members of our community came out to celebrate together and instead faced this terror." 

Other local officials also expressed shock and condemnation.

"Today our community is mourning and in shock," Lake County board member Paul Frank told Insider Monday. "I pray for the victims, their families and I pray that our country will find the strength to protect our right to live in peace. Our right to live should be placed above any other constitutional right." 

Illinois' Democratic US senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin also issued messages decrying the shooting. 

"Absolutely terrifying. Families from all over seek out this time-honored tradition on Fourth of July — and today, many found themselves running for their lives," Sen. Duckworth posted on Twitter. "Every community deserves to be safe from senseless gun violence."

—Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) July 4, 2022

Sen. Durbin tweeted, "To face senseless gun violence while out celebrating Independence Day is nothing short of horrific. The nation's prayers are with Highland Park today. My office is closely monitoring the situation and will stay in contact with local leaders and law enforcement." 

—Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) July 4, 2022