Seven people were killed in the 2022 mass shooting in Illinois.
A doting grandfather who immigrated from Mexico to give his family a better life and two parents on a fun outing with their toddler were among the seven people shot and killed last year at a July 4 parade in Highland Park, Illinois.
A 21-year-old gunman allegedly carried out the mass shooting in the leafy suburban Chicago town that, according to FBI statistics, hadn’t had a murder in more than 20 years.
Five of the victims who were randomly shot died at the scene of the shooting, while one perished at a hospital, according to officials. One day after the massacre, a seventh victim succumbed to his injuries at Evanston Hospital, officials said.
More than 30 people were wounded by the barrage of bullets that silenced the marching bands and prompted paradegoers to scramble for cover.
Katherine Goldstein, 64
Katherine Goldstein was a mother of two adult daughters, an avid bird watcher and someone who loved to travel, a friend .
Betsy Backes said she first met Goldstein at a local community center north of Chicago when they were both pregnant with their second children. Goldstein invited Backes to her home and the two mothers began a close, 20-year friendship that ended abruptly when Goldstein was gunned down at the parade.
Backes spoke glowingly of her « dear friend Katie G., » describing her as an « extraordinary person » and « everyone’s best friend » who was « always around for her kids. »
She said their daughters grew up together, and the families would go on adventures — all of them planned by Goldstein.
« No one could plan an adventure like she did, » she said.
On Halloween nights, she said the mothers would pass out candy at the Goldsteins’ front door while the fathers took the daughters trick-or-treating. Afterward, they would order Thai food and all sit together to eat.
« It is such a happy memory, » Backes said. « The little girls were so happy to be out with their daddies, and I was so happy to be with my friend, Katie, and passing out candy to the neighborhood kids. »
Goldstein was an avid bird watcher and loved visiting the Chicago Botanic Garden, Backes said. She said her friend was also a great cook, who made salmon for lunch and was always experimenting with new recipes.
« She would cook meals that were so adventurous and fun, » said Backes, who spotted a recipe notebook on the kitchen counter when she visited the Goldstein home Tuesday.
