and then opened fire at least six people are dead, two dozen injured. police recovering a high-powered rifle tonight authorities naming a person of interest, and just in, the reaction from president biden. also the state of emergency and curfew in akron, ohio, after protests over the police killing of a black motorist. tensions rising after the release of graphic body cam video authorities say jayland walker fled a traffic stop and fired at officers from a car. tonight walker's family demanding answers, saying he was shot more than 60 times when he was unarmed. the urgent new plea to president biden from wnba star brittney griner appealing for help to get out of a russian jail. and beaches on high alert after another shark attack a lifeguard attacked during a training exercise what he's saying tonight and what you can do to protect yourself at the beach.

good evening the tears haven't even dried in places like buffalo and uvalde, and yet here we are tonight feeling the familiar pangs of anger, sadness and bitter frustration from a random attack on innocent americans. this time in highland park, illinois at least six people are dead, dozens injured after police say a young man took a position on a rooftop with a high-powered rifle, firing down into crowds gathered for a small town july 4th parade as survivors scrambled for safety, the shooter escaped, setting into motion a massive and urgent manhunt. nearby residents wer ordered to stay indoors. the upscale chicago suburb unaccustomed to such violence. on a day we celebrate the promise of america, we are again confronted with one of its bewildering shortcomings police a short time ago saying they have located a person of interest in the shooting we have expanded coverage beginning with miguel almaguer

>> reporter: from parade to panic on the fourth of july this the terrifying scene unfolding in highland park, illinois, as a barrage of bullets rips through a crowd, authorities say killing at least six and leaving two dozen more injured, many with gunshot wounds. >> i saw people shot on the ground and a little boy being carried away by a person that got shot people -- blood, gunshot wounds. >> reporter: families that lined a holiday parade route suddenly scrambling away from the volley of gunfire and an active shooter who appeared to take a sniper-like position on a rooftop according to police. >> people were screaming, they were panicking, and they were just scattering. >> reporter: as mothers and fathers scrambled to carry their children away from the fourth of july bloodshed, investigators say the shooter initially slipped away, recovering a high-powered rifle,

officers ordered a lockdown as their manhunt turned into a citywide dragnet robert crimo was taken into custody hours later. >> at this point this appears to be completely random. >> with lawn chairs, strollers and blankets strewn across the crime scene, heavily armed police escorted children and their pets out of the area the mass shooting happening 30 miles outside chicago in an affluent suburb known for its safety at 10:14 a.m., minutes after the parade started, the first shots rang out on a downtown block lined with trees and buildings. >> the people who were gone were quickly identified by the paramedics, because they had horrific injuries the kind of injuries you probably see in wartime. >> nowadays you don't feel safe now anywhere. >> reporter: first mistaking gunfire for fireworks, cheers in the crowd quickly turned to cries for help, as hundreds ran for their lives. now, a person of

interest apprehended, after six were killed on a day dedicated to freedom, but instead marred by tragedy and gun violence >> miguel, what do we know about how the suspect got into position to be able to shoot down on the crowd? >> reporter: lester, police say they found an unsecure ladder that was used to get on top of a local business that may be the way the shooter got to his vantage point. a witness said families were, quote, sitting ducks as they took fire from above. this is the kind of fourth of july parade that happens in cities all across america. a devastating day, lester. >> we've all been to parades like that. all right, miguel, thank you. i want to go to nbc's shaq brewster who's on the scene in highland park shaq, what are witnesses there saying this evening? >> reporter: well, lester, we're just about a block away from where that shooter opened fire causing panicked onlookers to run for cover. you see behind me, it is still a very active scene. you see police vehicles, the police caution tape, but more striking you see the chairs, the bicycles,

the fourth of july decorations that were here as people were gathering. what they thought were fireworks they say were actually gunshots one person thought what was a military salute was actually the sound of gunfire tonight the community is shaken and hoping for answers and hoping that that suspect that has recently been identified will soon be captured. >> shaq brewster on the scene for us tonight. as you have heard, there has been a late development in the manhunt. authorities say they have located a person of interest. justice correspondent pete williams has the latest on the investigation. >> reporter: late today after a nearly ten-hour manhunt, police say they founding the car that was driven by someone they're calling a person of interest, a man police consider the shooting suspect >> the subject did flee a brief pursuit went on, ultimately they were able to get the subject stopped at wesley and 41 in lake forest the subject was taken

into custody without incident >> reporter: they have identified him as 22-year-old robert c. crimo, known as bobby. police say he's also known as the rapper awake. police from chicago and other communities rushed in to help, along with federal agents they joined hundreds of officers in an intensive search, launching aircraft and drones, deploying dog teams and pleading for public tips. officers fanned out from the scene of the parade searching nearby buildings residents in the area were urged to stay in their homes. 2022 has brought a flood of high-profile mass shootings more than 300 incidents in all so far this year. that's approaching a record number. mass shootings in the u.s. have been on the rise since the beginning of the covid pandemic public gatherings are especially difficult to secure and the department of homeland security has warned that the u.s. remains in a heightened threat environment with a mix of motives last november a man plowed his suv into a crowd gathered for the annual christmas

parade in waukesha, wisconsin, just outside milwaukee. six people were killed and more than 60 were hurt police said the driver, angry and speeding away from a domestic dispute, targeted the crowd now the investigation begins into what the motive possibly could have been. pete williams, nbc news, washington >> we're joined now by congressman brad schneider who represents highland park congressman, thank you for being with us. my understanding you were just pulling into highland park when the shooting broke out can you tell us what you saw and experienced? >> sure. i mean this is one of five independence day parades we do every year it's a tradition here in town. i just finished the first one and was coming into town for the second one when i was talking to my team they said shots just rang out and everyone is scattering. i was probably a half mile away. i went around the parade area. what i saw were people leaving the area in a hurried fashion. i think most people

were in shock. and unclear exactly what was happening as governor pritzker called it a monster with a high-powered assault weapon shattered what is an annual celebration of america's independence day with untold numbers of rounds killing -- murdering six people and wounding at least 24 others. >> police have said it was a high-powered weapon you're saying it was a high-powered assault weapon >> what i'm hearing is it's an assault weapon, but a high-powered weapon. from the description of the wounds and the injuries, people were -- the injuries were devastating. >> i think we all look at a july 4th parade, especially in a small town, is about as american as it gets. a slice of americana how is that affecting you tonight as you look at what's happened >> i'm devastated. this is one of m favorite holidays. and the fourth of july, the holiday parades are a time for everyone to come together and celebrate, to stand shoulder to shoulder

and in the midst of that, someone destroyed countless lives. the community was shattered. a lot of people are grieving it will be a long time for this community to heal and recover. >> we are all saddened your community will struggle with this congressman brad schneider, thank you for taking the time. we appreciate it. >> thank you glad to be able to join you. president biden weighing in tonight saying he was shocked by today's attack. let's go right to white house correspondent kelly o'donnell. the white house is responding to yet another mass shooting, kelly. >> reporter: lester, the president reached out by phone to speak with the illinois governor and the mayor of highland park he also surged federal resources to help, including in the search for the suspect. and the president also at the white house today spoke at a cookout for military families but he only made a brief reference to today's shooting he did talk about the -- signing the first gun safety-related measure in 30 years. that got applause from the crowd but that law

includes expanded background checks for gun buyers under age 21 the president said there is much more work to do lester. >> kelly, thank you. we want to turn now to akron, ohio, and growing outrage over a deadly police shooting there a state of emergency and curfew have been declared after the city released police video showing eight officers firing on an unarmed black man. here is maggie vespa >> what do we want >> justice >> reporter: mounting anger and a march to the mayor's house demanding justice for jayland walker, the man shot dozens of times, authorities say, by eight officers in akron, ohio >> to see that a young black man was gunned down. >> reporter: the mayor declaring a state of emergency after more protests overnight police appearing to deploy tear gas on a crowd enraged at new body cam video of monday's deadly shooting the family attorney says authorities told him an estimated 90 rounds were fired, leaving jayland walker

with, authorities say, roughly 60 wounds on his body they say the 25-year-old was unarmed when he was killed >> in this case, there was an attack on my client that was an attack. >> i understand the public's demand for information now. >> reporter: the seven-minute clip shows walker's last moments beginning with a high-speed chase police say officers tried to pull walker over for an unspecified traffic violation which was not shown on tape, but he sped off and allegedly fired at them police say you can see the flash from the gun from a security camera the video shows walker later ran from his car, wearing a ski mask officers investigators say fired tasers but missed moments later that fatal hail of bullets. police saying the officers said they thought walker was turning toward them, reaching for a gun, adding they found a gun, not on him but in his car. the family revealing walker had recently lost his fiancee robert hubbard was

walker's high school wrestling coach, tonight remembering him as a sweet kid. >> i've never seen him raise his voice in anger. to be shot down like that, like some type of an -- i mean a rabid animal, i still don't understand it. >> reporter: the eight officers who have yet to be named are now on leave, per standard protocol, while the state investigates walker's family pleading for answers >> we just want to know what happened and why did this have to happen to him. >> maggie, as we noted a moment ago, akron remains under a state of emergency with a mandatory curfew are officials anticipating unrest tonight? >> reporter: lester, they are you might be able to hear some protesters behind us in front of the police department here in akron. safe to say the entire city remains on edge we saw police officers driving around in riot gear earlier today all fourth of july celebrations here tonight remain cancelled and that curfew that you mentioned goes into effect at 9:00 p.m all of this as that independent

investigation into this shooting continues. no estimate, by the way, as to how long that will take lester. >> maggie vespa, thank you. in 60 seconds on trial in russia. brittney griner appeals to president biden to intervene in her case, and the severe weather alerts affecting tens of millions tonight llions ht s affecting tens of millions tonight in the n rhood. it's a lot. enough cereal - ahh... not cool, thors! anyone got a light? i'll order pizza. at least geico makes bundling our home and car insurance easy. it does save us a lot. see marvel studios' thor: love and thunder. only in theaters. not this again. and for bundling made easy, go to geico.com. hi, i'm steve and i live in austin, texas. i work as a personal assistant not this again. to the owner of a large manufacturing firm. i've got anywhere from 10 to 50 projects going at any given time. i absolutely have to be sharp.

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the letter reads it kills me to know they are suffering so much right now the russians say they found vape cartridge containing cannabis oil in her luggage she could face as long as ten years in prison as i sit here in a russian prison alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, olympic jersey or an accomplishments, the letter to president biden said, i'm terrified i might be here forever griner was last seen publicly in a moscow courtroom last week when she was charged with drug smuggling. >> she's walked into a situation where their judicial system has a 99% conviction rate, so in their system, there is no innocent in their system, it's guilty. >> reporter: the u.s. state department considers griner to be wrongfully detained, but her family believes president biden can do more. they want to meet him. griner, one of the wnba's biggest stars ever languishes in a russian jail matt bradley, nbc news

we are keeping an eye on a severe storm threat that could add to the holiday travel chaos we've been seeing all weekend at airports and on the roads. tonight severe storms expected from the northern rockies to the upper midwest. 16 million people could be affected. and tomorrow 61 million people will be in the path of storms that could bring tornados, hail, heavy rain and strong winds from montana to maryland, making travel a challenge in places have a look at this now, a spectacular crash at the british grand prix several cars collided on the first lap the car driven by zhou guanyu flipped over, skidded down the track and flipped over a barrier. zhou was checked out at the hospital, he's fine he said formula 1's titanium halo system saved his life we're back in a moment with a survivor speaking out after a shark attack plan ark attack. in a moment with a survivor speaking out after a shark attack

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we turn now to the shark danger lurking offshore this holiday weekend and some pretty incredible stories from survivors who were able to fight them off and escape. kerry sanders has the latest >> reporter: today new york beaches along nassau county reopened, but with a urgent message of caution. in a rare twist, a lifeguard here became the victim 33-year-old zach gallo was mimicking a swimmer in distres all part of a training exercise when a shark bit his hand and left several sharp punctures to his chest. >> as i was treading

water, i felt that sharp pinch in my hand as i pulled my hand close to my chest, i started hammer punching the water and connected with the shark a couple of times. >> reporter: beach goers today aware but undeterred. >> i saw a notification on my phone but i thought, you know what, let's not let it scare us. let's just have a good time today. >> reporter: records that date back almost 200 years show shark attacks are rare, the most happening around popular surfing beaches in daytona and new smyrna, florida. another minor shark bite there just yesterday. so while recent videos like this in the gulf of mexico are attention grabbing, experts say the recent spate of attacks are a consequence of more people in the water. last week 17-year-old addison was snorkeling off the florida panhandle hunting scallops when a nine-foot bull shark like this one hit her right leg. doctors say it will have to be amputated. >> i went into shock

and passed out a lot but i do remember it coming up to me. i didn't really freak out. obviously i screamed for help. >> reporter: if the fireworks show you're going to is at the beach and you're there before the sun goes down, just remember, sharks actively feed close to shore at dusk kerry sanders, nbc news, ft. lauderdale when we come back, this independence day, no freedom from fear back, this independence day, no freedom from fear emerge tremfyant®. with tremfya®, most people saw 90% clearer skin at 16 weeks. the majority of people saw 90% clearer skin even at 5 years. serious allergic reactions may occur. tremfya® may increase your risk of infections and lower your ability to fight them. tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms or if you had a vaccine or plan to. emerge tremfyant®. with tremfya®. ask your doctor about tremfya® today. there's a monster problem and our hero needs solutions.

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finally tonight, as we celebrate our independence today, we also find ourselves dealing once again with a crisis that seems to have no end and now we add highland park, illinois, to the list that no city, no town, no suburb, wants to be on another shooter, another list of victims whose stories we will read and watch through tear-brimmed eyes it's as if we're living through perpetual deja vu, weren't we just there? in uvalde, texas, and

buffalo, new york, and the dozens of places around the country where gun violence has taken innocent lives too soon there is a particular pain that comes today, a day that is meant to be a celebration of the american experiment an experiment that put the power of government in the hands of the people in the form of an incredible democratic republic we expect fireworks today, not gunshots. thus, the brief confusion survivors describe as reality unfolded before them the latest scene of mass fatalities and even more casualties there is no easy answer to this recurring problem. but tonight, we mourn as a nation once again when we were meant to be celebrating tomorrow, i'll be reporting from the scene of today's mass shooting in highland park, illinois that's nightly news for this monday night. thank you for watching, everyone i'm lester holt. please take care of

yourself and each other. good night

right now on nbc bay area news tonight, a deadly rampage during a fourth of july parade in a chicago suburb. 6 dead, 38 hurt. a person of interest now in custody. we are going to have the latest developments. and, what is being done here. san francisco police say there are no specific threats but they have a safety plan in place. we will tell you about it. , worried about fires sparked by fireworks? the message a southbay fire captain wants everyone to hear. >> i think we are heading into a time of frustration, of