More than $2 million has been raised for a two-year-old boy who was left an orphan after both of his parents were killed in Monday's Highland Park shooting.
On July 4, members of the public were lining the streets of the suburban town of Highland Park - about 28 miles north of Chicago - as Independence Day festivities were underway.
However, shortly after 10:00AM a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop, with Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesperson Christopher Covelli describing the gunman's attack as "intentional", with the victims being selected at "random".
The shooting has left at least seven people dead, at the time of this writing, with dozens more being injured.
Two of the victims killed in the attack were 35-year-old Irina McCarthy and 37-year-old Kevin McCarthy. They had been enjoying the Fourth of July celebrations with their two-year-old son, Aiden McCarthy.
Sky News reports that Aiden became separated from his parents amid the chaos, and was reportedly found by locals alone and bloodied.
The boy's image was later shared on Chicago-area social media pages, with urgent pleas to the public to help identify him and reunite him with family.
Aiden has since been reunited with his grandparents.
After news of Aiden's story broke, a GoFundMe was set up by Irina Colon, who reportedly organized the fundraiser page with the family's permission.
In its description, Colon writes: "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.
"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."
She adds that the fundraiser was started in order to help support Aiden and his future caregivers, "who will be tasked with raising, caring for, and supporting Aiden as he and his support system embark on this unexpected journey."
As of this writing, the fundraiser has amassed more than $2 million from over 37,000 donations.
Commenting on the page, one kind donator wrote: "I am so heartbroken for little Aiden, his parents and your entire family. I am praying for all of you and that this senselss violence will stop!"
A second added: "Truly heart wrenching; may God bless you on future endeavors and guide you through life as only he can heal you spiritually. I am so sorry for your loss."
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. He has since been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder.
Our thoughts continue to go out to everybody affected by this tragedy.
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