A two-year-old boy has been orphaned after his parents died when a rooftop sniper opened fire at the July 4 parade in Chicago.
Irina McCarthy, 35, and Kevin McCarthy, 37, were among at least seven dead in Monday’s attack, in which about 50 people were also injured by gunshot wounds and other injuries.
His young son, Aiden, separated from his parents in the chaos of the shooting.
He was later returned to his grandparents by police, said a fundraising page.
“He will have a long way to go to heal,” wrote Irina Colon, who organized the GoFundMe page with permission from the family.
He added that Aiden’s grandparents will take care of him.
The fund has raised nearly $ 1.4 million (£ 1.17 million) so far.
Read more: The July 4 shooting suspected Robert Crimo’s strange and violent online trail
Image: Irina and Kevin McCarthy, 35 and 37 years old respectively
“After the Highland Park, IL shootings on July 4, the North Shore community gathered to help a child we knew nothing about. We took him to a safe place in tragic circumstances, we gathered to locate his grandparents and we prayed for the safety of their family, ”Ms. Colon wrote.
“Unfortunately, I have to share her name … Aiden McCarthy. And she needs more help. Her parents Irina and Kevin were killed during the July 4 shooting. At age two, Aiden remains in an unthinkable position; growing up without his parents.
“Aiden will be cared for by his beloved family and will have a long way to go to heal, find stability and finally navigate life as an orphan. He is surrounded by a community of friends and an extended family that l will embrace with love.and any means available to make sure you have everything you need as you grow.
“On behalf of his family, and with his permission, I am setting up this fundraiser to support him and the caregivers who will be tasked with raising, caring for and supporting Aiden while he and his support system embark on this unexpected journey “.
The victims of the shooting
Image: Katherine Goldstein, 64 Image: Nicolas Toledo-Saragoza, 78 Image: Stephen Straus, 88 Image: Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63
The suspect Robert E Crimo III was arrested hours after the attack and charged with seven counts of first-degree murder.
The 21-year-old is said to have planned his attack for several weeks. He is supposed to have climbed a fire escape ladder on the roof of a business before firing more than 70 dances into the crowd with a high-powered AR-15. assault rifle.
Image: Suspect Robert E Crimo III in the back of a police van after his arrest
Police said she dressed in women’s clothing to hide her facial tattoos and to integrate as she escaped the scene.