Recognizing the sound of gunshots is something that everyone should truly know, but especially on a day like the 4th of July, those sounds could easily be mistaken for fireworks.
The mass shooting that occurred on the 4th in Illinois happened during a 4th of July parade, which has provided many videos of the incident as people were recording the parade and their time with family and friends.
During each video that I’ve located, at the start of the shooting, the vast majority of people took quite a while to realize what was going on. Those seconds are valuable and even if it turns out what you were over-reacting to something that wasn’t shots being fired, it’s still a good idea to be in the mindset to act quickly.
WARNING: This is what a mass shooting looks and sounds like.
— Jim Drastic (@JimDrastic) July 4, 2022
Just horrifying.
Highland Park
Videos taken from Reddit pic.twitter.com/Ssq3bXV0Zu
Video just sent to me from Highland Park shooting. This scares the shit out of me. pic.twitter.com/E6eKP9spjh
— Michael Marino (@MichaelMarino37) July 4, 2022
Another shot from the Highland Park mass shooting.
— Jake (@SiIentRunning) July 4, 2022
Hadn’t seen this clip on here.
Sounds like nearly 60 shots fired in this one alone. pic.twitter.com/X66gqEiGHD
BREAKING UPDATE! Highland Park, Illinois: WGN TV reports at least 4 dead, several injured following a shooting at a July Fourth parade in a Chicago suburb this morning. pic.twitter.com/3saIB0MY5A
— Denn Dunham (@DennD68) July 4, 2022
My video.. I was at #Highland Park parade.. Terrified people fleeing July 4th parade when shooting started. pic.twitter.com/DSe0NJOuem
— Lynn Sweet (@lynnsweet) July 4, 2022
Tragic incident today at Highland Park Fourth of July parade. This was Moments after the shooting. Many people evacuating. police officers, firefighters, ambulance’s, and armored vehicles heading towards the active shooter incident. #BreakingNews #Highlandpark #4THJULY pic.twitter.com/q9TDbe7S50
— Mickey Gonzalez (@MICKEYMINAJEZZ) July 4, 2022
This man put his son in a dumpster to shield him from any potential shots fired in their direction.
"I put my son in a dumpster."
— ABC News (@ABC) July 5, 2022
A father who witnessed the July Fourth parade shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, describes the horrific scene as he hid his son as shots were fired. https://t.co/2p1c5F2ur0 pic.twitter.com/6kZ1cR7P7j
Other videos show the chaos in the seconds following the initial gunfire, with people seen running with their families to safety, away from where they believe the shots are coming from.
A white male suspect (who is STILL at large) aged between 18-20, shot from a roof during the Highland Park 4th of July Parade, and killed 6 ppl, injuring dozens.
— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) July 4, 2022
If police would focus on THESE potential shooters instead of ambushing innocent Black ppl, this wouldn’t happen pic.twitter.com/2QhNURdIrU
It’s a sad time for our Country, as these mentally ill people feel the need to resort to such violence and take the lives of innocent people. I’d love to talk about how a lawfully armed citizen could have stopped this suspect, but it’s highly unlikely that any attempt would have been successful.
From a survival standpoint, it’s important to understand and communicate with family and friends what to do in certain situations, what to look out for, and what sounds and actions to pay attention to.
As for the carrying of firearms, remember that your chances of being involved in a mass shooting are extremely low. However, your chances of being a victim of a violent crime are much higher. That’s more of a reason to carry a firearm, and in the case of a mass shooting, have a plan to get yourself and others to safety.
