Independence Day Mass Shooting Suspect Identified As Spotify Rapper

The gunman who opened fire on an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois, has been named.

At least six people are said to have been killed and 24 injured after the gunman climbed up to a nearby roof and began shooting into the crowd at random.

The incident occurred at around 10:15 am local time (15:15 GMT) and the shooter has since been detained, following a chase with police.

And now, the gunman has been identified as 22-year-old Robert E Crimo III, a Chicago native who is also known by his rap name 'Awake the Rapper'.

Crimo has over 16,000 listeners per month on Spotify, the Daily Mail reports, and artwork for some of his music posted last autumn shows him shooting people.

While not much is yet known about Crimo and his motives, snippets of his personal life have been circulating online which could suggest more about the young man's interests and ideologies.

For example, a clip posted on YouTube shows him dropping bullets on the floor in a classroom, which has now taken on chilling relevance.

Crimo was also pictured attending a Donald Trump rally while dressed as Where's Wally, which has since been shared widley on social media.

The rally, in Northbrook, Illinois, which is believed to be the one he was pictured at was described as 'tense' by The Chicago Tribune, but no arrests were made as counter-protesters showed up at the event

In 2019 his father, Bob, ran for mayor with the promise that he was 'A Person for the People.' He lost the election, and his son would go on to devastate the community his father was trying to serve.

Those hurt amid the shooting range from the ages of eight to 85 years old, as reported by ABC.

Two of the deceased have since been named, one as Jacki Sundheim - who was a 'beloved' worker at a local synagogue.

The synagogue released a statement following her death, which read: "There are no words sufficient to express the depth of our grief for Jacki's death and sympathy for her family and loved ones."

Another victim was Nicolas Toledo, a 'playful' grandfather, and father.

His grandson, David, told ABC: "My grandpa was a funny man. He'd always joke around and be playful with his grandkids. He arrived [at] the U.S. in the '80s and worked around the Highland Park area for many years. He spent his last days swimming and fishing and being among family."

Those who were present at the shooting have also described the awful scene, with an eyewitness, Alexander Sandoval, saying that he and his family first thought the shooting was part of the parade.

He said that he 'thought it was them saluting the flag and shooting blanks,' but when the shots continued he took his family and ran.

"I grabbed my son and tried to break into one of the local buildings, but I couldn’t. The shooting stopped. I guess he was reloading. So I kept running and ran into an alley and put my son in a garbage dumpster so he could be safe.

"I saw a little boy who was shot being carried away. It was just terror. This doesn’t happen here. It shouldn’t happen anywhere."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677