2-Year-Old Boy Orphaned After Both His Parents Died In Highland Park Parade Shooting

After both of his parents were killed in the Highland Park shooting on Monday, a two-year-old boy has become an orphan.

According to Sky News, a picture of two-year-old Aiden McCarthy was posted on social media groups in Chicago after he was discovered at the gunshot scene.

The young boy was left alone and badly injured, and his picture was circulated along with requests to help find him and return him to his family.

Credit: GoFundMe

Irina McCarthy, 35, and Kevin McCarthy, 37, were tragically revealed to be two of the six persons killed when a shooter opened fire from a nearby rooftop. They were Adien's parents. As the crowd gathered to celebrate the Fourth of July, the shooting happened shortly after 10:00 AM.

Seven individuals were killed in the incident, while numerous others were wounded.

Credit: Alamy

The victims were chosen at "random," according to Christopher Covelli, a spokesman for the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, who described the attack as "intentional."

A GoFundMe set up by Irina Colon states: "In the aftermath of the Highland Park, IL shootings on July 4, the North Shore community rallied to help a boy who we knew nothing about. We took him to safety under tragic circumstances, came together to locate his grandparents, and prayed for the safety of his family."

Credit: Alamy

Colon adds: "At two years old, Aiden is left in the unthinkable position; to grow up without his parents."

The goal of the event was to gather enough cash to support Aiden and his future caregivers for the rest of the time.

"Aiden will be cared for by his loving family and he will have a long road ahead to heal, find stability, and ultimately navigate life as an orphan. He is surrounded by a community of friends and extended family that will embrace him with love, and any means available to ensure he has everything he needs as he grows," the description reads.

In addition to Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78, Katherine Goldstein, 64, Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63, and Stephen Straus, 88, were all killed in the attack on Tuesday.

As of the time of writing, the seventh victim has not been identified.

The Independent reports that Robert E. Crimo III, 22, was detained by police on Monday night not long after being identified as a "person of interest" concerning the shooting.

Seven counts of first-degree murder have been brought against Crimo, according to officials, and additional charges are anticipated.

If guilty, Crimo would be required to serve a life sentence without the chance of parole.

Our hearts remain open to everyone impacted by this tragedy.