At least one killed, 20 shot after mass shooting in US amid Juneteenth celebration

At least 20 people were shot, one fatally, reported the local media citing the officials as police are in the midst of investigating an overnight shooting in the US state of Illinois southwest suburban Willowbrook, on Sunday (June 18).

What do we know about the incident?

Witnesses have said over 200 teens and young adults were gathered for a Juneteenth celebration when over two dozen shots were fired into the crowd. The incident took place at the intersection of Honeysuckle Rose Lane and Route 83 (Kingery Highway) in DuPage County.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

As of Sunday, at least 20 people had been shot, one fatally, said DuPage County Deputy Sheriff Eric Swanson told reporters. As per reports, victims were taken to the nearby hospitals in DuPage, Cook and Will counties.

Fire officials had earlier said that there are five gunshot victims and at least 10 people have been shot and injured out of which two of them are in critical condition. According to Battalion Chief Joe Ostrander with the Tri-State Fire Protection District the shooting took place at around 12:30 am (local time), reported the local media.At least 12 ambulances responded to the scene,Ostrander added.

The condition of the victims was not immediately known. Additionally,Swanson said that themotive behind the shooting is unclear and it is still an active investigation.

What did the eyewitnesses say?

“It was supposed to be like a Juneteenth celebration; we just started hearing shooting, so we dropped down until they stopped. They just kept going,” witness Markeshia Avery told the local media, adding that after that we “literally scattered away”.

Similarly, another witness, who was not namedsaid, “We were all just out, and, next thing you know shots just kept going off; everybody ran, and it was chaos.”

Juneteenth celebrations in US

Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, is observed on June 19 across the US to commemorate the end of slavery. The word Juneteenth originated from the words “June” and “nineteenth.” Last year, US President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing it as a national holiday.

The Juneteenth celebration and traditions vary across the country. In some states, parades are organised, and people gather together, make food and play games together.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.