A two-year-old boy was orphaned after losing both his parents in the fourth of July shooting. A verified GoFundMe account was then set up for the orphan. As of Wednesday, July 6, it had amassed more than 1.9 million, which is still growing.
HIGHLAND PARK, IL - JULY 05: A candelight vigil is held near the scene of a mass shooting yesterday at a Fourth of July parade, on July 5, 2022 in Highland Park, Illinois. Authorities have charged Robert “Bobby” E. Crimo III, 22, with seven counts of first-degree murder in the attack that also injured 47, according to published reports.
Fourth of July Parade 2022
Seven people were killed, and many more were hurt during a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, where the boy's parents were shot to death.
The GoFundMe campaign has received contributions from at least 34,742 people, with the highest donation standing at $18,000 as of writing this article.
Remember this little boy found wandering alone after #HighlandPark parade? We’ve just found out why… both his parents were killed💔
A fundraiser has been started for Irina and Kevin McCarthy’s 2-yo son Aiden as he grows up without them
Link: https://t.co/qKc4mOVX2t @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/7fxYE3OoS4— Marissa Parra NBC (@MarParNews) July 5, 2022
Irina Colon was the organizer of the campaign, and she wrote that "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 added.
According to Gizmodo's report, the police said that Aiden McCarthy was observing the parade with his parents when a shooter suddenly opened fire into the crowd from a rooftop location. Aiden's parents, Irina McCarthy and Kevin McCarthy, were unfortunately murdered in the incident.
However, no motive has yet been determined, and it's unclear if they were specifically targeted or not.
Read also: GoFundMe Announces Verified Hub of Fundraisers For Texas School Shooting
Strolling Alone
After the shooting, Aiden was discovered strolling about alone, which prompted people to post his picture on social media in an attempt to find his parents or relatives.
But unfortunately, according to Gizmodo, Aiden's parents passed away before he was carried by an unknown person who appeared to be in shock.
At least four more occurrences around the Fourth of July witnessed large crowds leaving after feeling threatened by gun violence. Two law enforcement officers were shot and wounded in Philadelphia, but the circumstances surrounding the incident are yet unknown.
Gizmodo further noted that the incident also prompted large crowds of people to flee fireworks shows in Orlando, Harrisburg, and Washington because of concern that explosions might actually be gunshots.
People seeking support for medical fees, therapy costs, and burial expenses have put up a GoFundMe landing page containing all of the verified campaigns for victims of the Highland Park shooting.
Click here if you want to donate to the victims.
Related Article: GiveSendGo Exposed User Data: Site for 'Freedom Convoy' Donations Secured Platform after GoFundMe Transfers
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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla
