Nancy Rotering, Highland Park Mayor, says that the man police suspect of setting fire to the town's Fourth of Jul parade, killing at most seven people and injuring more than two dozen others, was someone she knew. She claims she was a Cub Scout leader to him when she was 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 believe that a "high-powered rifle," was found at the scene. The weapon was legally obtained, according to police and the mayor.
Nearly nine hours later Robert Crimo III (21 years old), was arrested. He had been identified by the police as a person-of-interest.
Rotering said that Crimo was a "sweet little boy" when she was his Cub Scout leader.
She stated that the community is "in shock" following the tragic incident.
She said, "When a city comes together to celebrate freedom and independence you shouldn't have the need to fear for your life." "That's not the purpose of this nation and we must do something about it.
As community members celebrated the Fourth of Jul parade for the first-time in two years, the mayor was leading it. Rotering stated that a series shots started to erupt, confusing the crowd and causing panic amongst those in attendance.
She said that she saw the marching band running down the sidewalk and didn't know what they were doing. "I thought they might be late for a performance, but then suddenly, police cars raced towards us. It was almost like somebody had a heart attack. It didn't register that someone was carrying out a mass shooting within my city.
She described gun violence as "a unique American problem" that needs more mental health care, and called it "a very real national issue."
Rotering asked, "How many times must we go through this drill?" Rotering was curious. Rotering asked. It is time to have a stronger discussion about why weapons of war are still allowed in our society.
