Six dead and two dozen seriously injured in shooting at 4th of July Parade in Chicago

Six people have been killed in a shooting in the wealthy Chicago suburb of Highland Park.

The FBI are among other state authorities involved in investigating the shooting during the 4th of July parade.

Police say the incident appears to have been a "completely random" attack.

It remains an active incident and the suspect is still at large.

All people in the area are being urged to stay off the streets and indoors.

A rifle believed to have been used in the attack has been recovered from the rooftop of a building overlooking the parade, but police say they still consider the suspect to be "armed and dangerous".

The suspect is described as white male, of slim build, with longer black hair, aged between 18 and 20.

He is still considered to be armed and dangerous and his identity, or the motive for the attack is unknown at this stage.

There was a "very large crime scene" where the gunman opened fire on spectators and members of the parade.

The suspect was "discreet and very difficult to see" on a rooftop overlooking the parade route.

The officer said the shooter opened fire with a high-powered rifle. He ran off as police closed in on his position.

Several of the dead died at the scene and at least one died in hospital.

Sergeant Covelli said that roughly two dozen people who were hurt and had suffered injuries that ranged from serious to critical.

Several federal partners, including State Police and specialist SWAT officers from a number of law enforcement departments are currently involved in the manhunt for the suspect.

Local residents are being warned not to venture outside their homes or local buildings, until SWAT officers can clear each building.

Highland Park Police Department in Illinois confirmed that a child was among around 30 people seriously injured in the shooting at a 4th July parade in the affluent Chicago suburb.

The child is reported to have suffered critical injuries.

Others who were critically injured suffered gunshot wounds to the abdomen, the police said.

Some were also hit in their arms and legs by bullets from the shooter's high powered rifle.Police said the gunman opened fire from a rooftop overlooking the parade.

A fire escape ladder attached to that building appears to have been pulled down, likely by the gunman as he made his getaway.