A two-year-old boy has been left an orphan after both of his parents were killed in the Highland Park shooting on Monday.
As reported by Sky News, a photo of two-year-old Aiden McCarthy was shared in Chicago-based social media groups after he was found at the scene of the shooting.
The toddler was alone and bloodied, with the boy's image being shared with pleas to help identify him and reunite him with his loved ones.
Tragically, it has now been reported that Adien's parents - 35-year-old Irina McCarthy and 37-year-old Kevin McCarthy - were among the six people killed when a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop. The shooting occurred just after 10:00AM, as members of the public gathered to enjoy the Fourth of July festivities.
The attack has left seven people dead and dozens injured.
Christopher Covelli, a spokesperson for the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, described the gunman's attack as "intentional", with the victims being selected at "random".
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."
Colon adds: "At two years old, Aiden is left in the unthinkable position; to grow up without his parents."
The fundraiser was set up in order to raise enough money to help support Aiden and his future caregivers throughout the rest of his life.
"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.
Four other victims who were killed in Tuesday's attack have been named as Katherine Goldstein, 64, Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63, Stephen Straus, 88, and Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78.
The seventh victim has not been named as of this writing.
Per The Independent, 21-year-old Robert E. Crimo III was taken into custody by police on Monday evening shortly after being named as a "person of interest" connected with the shooting.
Officials have confirmed that Crimo has been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder - with more charges expected to follow.
If found guilty, Crimo is expected to serve a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Our thoughts continue to go out to everybody affected by this tragedy.
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