Today is Independence Day. It’s a day when we, as Americans, unite to remember the fight to make our nation free. It’s marked by celebrations like cookouts and parades.

One such parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park is now a source of tragedy.

Six people were killed and about 24 others were seriously hurt in a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Illinois, on Monday, according to officials.

Highland Park police are still searching for the gunman, who they described as a man between the ages of 18 and 20. It appears he fired from a roof, police said.

A rifle has been recovered, police said, adding that the suspect should still be considered armed and dangerous.

Police called it a “random act of violence.”

The NorthShore University Health System said it has a total of 31 patients; most suffered gunshot wounds and a few were hurt in the chaos.

Now, understand that the situation here is fluid. Those numbers may change as we get more information.

We also don’t know definitively what kind of rifle has been recovered at the scene, though I think we all have our suspicions.

As noted, the gunman is currently at-large and on the run. Attorney General Merrick Garland is sending federal resources to Chicago to aid in the investigation. State police were already on the scene.

Right now, whoever pulled that trigger is the most hunted man in America, as he should be.

Look, there’s going to be a lot of debate and arguments in the coming days and weeks. We’re going to know everything about this dipstick’s life in a matter of days. He’s going to be famous and, for some depraved souls, become an idol. If he dies, he becomes a martyr for them, too.

And that’s a sign that there’s a profound sickness in our society.

I don’t want to get into the politics about this just yet. It’s all too fresh and, frankly, we don’t have enough information one way or another.

What we can say is that this is unlikely to be something like the shooting in Sacramento earlier this year that turned out to be a shootout between rival groups. This was someone shooting from a rooftop. It doesn’t appear anyone was in a position to shoot back.

Beyond that, all we have is speculation.

I suspect this is politically motivated by someone. It may not be, but I can’t help but believe it’ll turn out to be so because this was an Independence Day celebration. Whether Islamic terrorism or domestic doesn’t matter.

Of course, I may be wrong, though I’m unsure if that would be better or worse at this point.

For what it’s worth, I’ll try and keep you updated as I get new information on these developments. Check back with us here at Bearing Arms.

Until then, please try and enjoy the rest of your Independence Day, and keep pray for those who were hurt and the families of those who were killed.