Since Tuesday's creation, Aiden McCarthy, the 2-year-old son of Aiden McCarthy and his parents, were killed in Monday’s mass shooting at a Highland Park, Illinois July 4th parade. The fundraiser has raised approximately $2.6 million.
The GoFundMe had raised $2.58 Million as of Wednesday evening. Its organizer, Irina Collon, noted that she started the fundraiser with the permission of the boy's parents. The shooting didn't injure the toddler.
Irina McCarthy (35), and Kevin McCarthy (37) were both killed in the massacre. Aiden was also separated from his parents by the chaos. Dana and Greg Ring said that they found Aiden with a stranger and took him in until a Highland Park detective came to pick him up.
Colon stated that he is establishing a fundraiser to support Aiden and the caregivers who will be responsible for raising, caring and supporting Aiden during this unexpected journey. Colon posted the GoFundMe message, which attracted nearly 36,000 donations.
She said, "Aiden's loving family will care for him and he will have to go through a long road to heal, find stability, then finally navigate his life as an orphan."
Aiden McCarthy survived due to his father protecting him with his body. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Aiden was saved by Michael Levberg, his grandfather. Aiden's paternal grandmother Margo McCarthy was also present at the parade, and she was also wounded in the shooting. According to the publication, she was treated for her injuries.
Levberg stated that his daughter was born in Russia and that the family immigrated from Russia to Chicago.
Levberg revealed that Irina McCarthy was a DePaul University graduate and had worked in digital marketing for the pharmaceutical industry, while Kevin McCarthy worked at a gene therapy startup.
Levberg said that they were "crazy about their child." They were planning to have two.
