Police are still searching for a gunman who shot dead six people at a Fourth of July Independence Day parade near the US city of Chicago, officials say.
The event in the city of Highland Park was suddenly halted shortly after 10:00 local time (15:00 GMT), when several shots were heard.
Residents have been urged to stay at home and contact their loved ones to make sure they are safe.
City authorities said 24 people had also been hospitalised.
“We are aggressively looking for the individual responsible for this shooting,” Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli told reporters.
Police have described the suspect as a white man, aged 18-20, who is “armed and dangerous” and appeared to have targeted the parade’s attendees at random.
Law enforcement officers have secured a perimeter around Highland Park’s downtown area and recovered “evidence of a firearm,” a statement from city officials said.
Nearby suburbs have also gone on lockdown, with beaches evacuated and local parades and fireworks shows cancelled.
The suspected shooter opened fire at the parade at around 10:15 local time (15:15 GMT), just a few minutes after it began. The event was scheduled to include floats, marching bands, and community entertainment as part of the city’s Independence Day celebrations.
The suspect is believed to have fired at members of the public from the rooftop of a nearby shop using what police described as a high-powered rifle.
“On a day that we came together to celebrate community and freedom, we’re instead mourning the tragic loss of life,” said city mayor Nancy Rotering.
Witnesses at the scene described the terrifying moment they heard multiple shots fired in quick succession.
Anand, who said he was less than 100m (328ft) from the shooter, told the BBC he initially thought he had heard a car backfiring before he saw others running and realised what was unfolding. (BBC)