Highland Park massacre victims: Mom-of-two and uncle with 'great humor' among SEVEN dead
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: The death toll in the Highland Park shooting has risen to seven after another victim succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Six of the seven victims have been identified, including Steve Straus, 88; Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacki Sondheim, 63; Nicholas Toledo Zaragoza, 78; and husband and wife Irina and Kevin McCarthy, 35 and 37. The McCarthys' son, Aiden, 2, was later found wandering bloodied and alone in the aftermath of the massacre. He was rescued by strangers who then handed him over to his grandparents.
The victims' names were released after a doctor who was present at the scene rushed to help them. He later said he saw the victims with "wartime" and "unspeakable" injuries. Dr. David Baum, a long-time obstetrician in Highland Park, was attending the parade with his wife and children as his two-year-old grandson was performing.
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Highland Park shooting: Gunman Robert Crimo charged with seven counts of first-degree murder
"The people who were gone were blown up by that gunfire," Baum recalled according to CNN. "The horrific scene of some of those bodies is unspeakable for the average person." He added, "Having been a physician, I've seen things in ERs, you know, you do see lots of blood. But the bodies were literally - some of the bodies - there was an evisceration injury from the power of this gun and the bullets. There was another person who had an unspeakable head injury. Unspeakable."
Here is all we know about the victims till now.
Steve Straus
Steve Straus, before being killed, was in "remarkably good health", a social media post by a relative says. "Yesterday, the darkest day you can imagine, my Uncle, my father's brother, Steve Straus, was killed in The Highland Park 4th of July Day Parade shooting. It was a tragic, senseless loss. Steve was 88 years old, in remarkably good health, and still went to work everyday. He is integral to our family, a kind, sweet and gentle soul with great humor, intelligence and keen wit," wrote Cynthia Straus.
"He towered over our family like a protective Oak sheltering his own. Follow The Sun Steve, to the other side of the veil. Only those who have left this world know what awaits, and for me I can only say that if there are bells at Heaven's Gate they are chiming and cheering for you, for a life well lived, and a soul well served. But, let's be clear NO ONE should die this way," she added.
Katherine Goldstein
A social media post by an acquaintance of Katherine Goldstein said she was "a beautiful person with the kindest of soul." "I am heartbroken for you & cannot even begin to imagine your loss. And I have no words to express the sorrow & grief that I am feeling for you my friend Craig Goldstein & your two daughters & family. "Katie" Katherine Goldstein, a devoted mother & wife, a beautiful person with the kindest of soul who at only 64, died in the horrific, mass shooting during the 4th of July Parade in Highland Park, Ill," Prudence Sam Grissom wrote on Facebook. Goldstein is survived by her husband Craig, and children Cassie and Alana.
Jacki Sundheim
Jacki Sundheim, one of the victims, was a longtime teacher at the North Shore Congregation Israel synagogue. Sundheim was the Reform synagogue's events and b'nei mitzvah coordinator. "Jacki was a lifelong congregant of NSCI and a cherished member of NSCI's staff team for decades," the synagogue said in a statement."Jacki's work, kindness and warmth touched us all." She is survived by her husband Bruce and daughter Leah.
Nicolas Toledo
Nicolas Toledo was a grandfather from Mexico and was shot in the head as he sat in his wheelchair. His granddaughter told the New York Times that he had said he did not want to attend the parade. He ultimately obliged after his family insisted on going. Toledo was a Mexican national who held dual citizenship in Mexico and the United States. He had moved back to Highland Park just a few months ago. "We were all in shock," Toledo's granddaughter Xochil Toledo said. "We thought it was part of the parade. Then we realized our grandfather was hit. We saw blood and everything splattered onto us."
"We brought him over here so he could have a better life," Xochil added. "His sons wanted to take care of him and be more in his life, and then this tragedy happened." Toledo's daughter, Josefina Toledo, told The Daily Beast, "We all threw ourselves to the ground. My dad, since it's difficult for him to walk… he was sitting on his walker and he was hit in his back and in his head."
Irina and Kevin McCarthy
Irina and Kevin McCarthy died in the shooting, leaving behind their two-year-old son Aiden McCarthy. Lauren Silva, 38, of Deerfield, and her boyfriend found Aiden after they heard gunshots while heading to Walker Bros restaurant for breakfast. He was later reunited with his grandparents.
Some of the other survivors include Zoe Kolpack, a teacher at Dever Elementary, and Eduardo Uvaldo, who was allegedly first shot in the arm, and then in the back of the head. Uvaldo's family has said that he is in critical condition. A GoFundMe set up for Zoe Kolpack has raised $223,800 USD as of now, and another set up for Eduardo Uvaldo has raised $43,171 USD.
Highland Park shooter Robert Crimo has been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder for a “premeditated and calculated attack", prosecutors said. Robert E “Bobby” Crimo III faces life in jail. He has been charged with seven murder counts, one for each of the victims he shot dead on Monday’s Fourth of July parade, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart confirmed. If Crimo is convicted, the seven murder raps carry a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. “In the courtroom, we will seek the maximum sentence against this offender. Not because we seek vengeance, but because justice and the healing process demand it,” Rinehart said.
Crimo is reportedly scheduled to be arraigned at Lake County Courthouse Wednesday morning, July 6. Rinehart confirmed that he will ask the judge to hold Primo without the possibility of bail.
