Yesterday we received the names of the individuals murdered in the July 4 shooting that shook our community to its core.

We will forever remember these innocent victims murdered by gun violence. May their memory be a blessing.

Katherine Goldstein (64) of Highland Park
Irina McCarthy (35) of Highland Park
Kevin McCarthy (37) of Highland Park
Jacquelyn Sundheim (63) of Highland Park
Stephen Straus (88) of Highland Park
Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza (78) of Morelos, Mexico

A seventh victim who succumbed to injuries within Cook County. Further information is not available at this time.

I am reaching out to the victim's families and will be joining them as they mourn. I will stand with them, attending their funerals and offering the community’s sympathy and support.

Yesterday Vice President Kamala Harris stood at the site of the shooting, in our beloved downtown. She shared her support and condolences, and offered continued Federal resources. She brought a message of hope and strength. 

There is no roadmap that tells us what to do next, but we cannot allow this shooting to define us. Today as we begin a new day -- we do so with a renewed sense of resolve and purpose.  

Each day, we will find the strength to take a step forward. No single action will heal us, but many small steps, taken together as a community will help, and each of us has a role in the healing process. Kindness matters and small actions that you take every day will help us heal. Check on your neighbors, reach out with a kind word or supportive action, continue to check the City’s website and emails for updates, resources, and other information. We want you to be in touch and connected. 

We will get through this together. We will move forward together. We are Highland Park strong. These are not just words on a page, these are words to live by.

Nancy R. Rotering
Mayor, City of HIghland Park, IL

Thank you to all the faith communities who have organized vigils and shared love and prayers. The city’s webpage lists vigils that we have been made aware of and resources, visit www.cityhpil.com.

The City will be organizing a community-wide vigil in the days ahead, where we can come together as one. More information will follow. 

The City of Highland Park’s Police Department, District 112, District 113, the American Red Cross, and the FBI Victim Services Response Team, with additional federal and state partners, are offering counseling services to students, staff, and community members at Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Street, Highland Park, Wednesday, July 6 through Friday, July 8 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. No appointment is necessary. 

Lake County residents can also call 211 or visit 211lakecounty.org for mental health resources and referrals. If you are a mental health professional interested in volunteering your services, please fill out the provider survey at 211lakecounty.org. 211 support is available in English, Spanish, and many other languages.

We are seeking the contact information of individuals injured in the shooting to help provide support. If you know the name of an individual currently in a hospital or who was injured and returned home, please share contact information and your relationship to the individual by email cityhp@cityhpil.com.

The footprint of the crime scene in downtown Highland Park has been reduced, but a portion of our downtown remains off-limits as the FBI continues to investigate. We know this is a terribly difficult situation for our local businesses, and the City has been actively communicating with downtown business owners to share information and resources. We will reopen the area as soon as we receive clearance from Federal authorities. We know this situation is difficult and we appreciate your patience.

Please continue to avoid the secure perimeter.

Individuals who left personal belongings at the parade outside of the secure perimeter can begin to retrieve them from the lost and found established at City Hall. Items will be available on the North Side Lawn beginning July 7 at noon.

We have temporarily paused City-sponsored community events for this week and next and anticipate resuming regular programming the week of July 17. We appreciate your understanding as our resources are heavily focused on the investigation.

To help those impacted by Monday's mass shooting, the Highland Park Community Foundation has established a July 4th Highland Park Shooting Response Fund.

Here is also a direct link to the donation form. If you prefer, you may send a check, payable to the Highland Park Community Foundation, to P.O. Box 398, Highland Park, IL 60035.

Please be aware of online and email solicitations for donations as they may not be legitimate. Also, protecting the privacy of victims and their families is paramount. Please be considerate when sharing information on social media, and do not share personal details about the victims or their families.