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Unable to escape terror
Her children had waited three years to visit and take part in the American Independence Day parade. Instead of enjoying the carnival, they were hiding from gunfire.
Deborah recalled how not long before the parade, her daughter had heard fire works and told her mother that she thought she heard Iron Dome, the Israeli anti-rocket defense system, activating. Deborah told her daughter that they didn't have to worry about things like that in America.
"They just can't get away from terror," said Deborah. "We live on the Gaza border and we came here for a peaceful vacation."
Residents of the Gaza periphery often face the danger of rocket and mortar strikes, among other terrorist threats. Deborah noted that at least there its known were the danger is coming from, the Israel Defense Forces are present, and there is warning before the explosive projectiles fall.
"I knew this happened in America, but you don't think it's going to happen in Highland Park," said Deborah.
Possible Jewish connection
The US had recently been rocked by deadly mass shootings, such as the Uvalde school shooting that left 19 young students and two teachers dead.
Deborah had wondered about the shooter's motives, "Is he antisemitic, is he anti-American?"
She described the Highland Park neighborhood as "pretty Jewish." Deborah added: "Something happens like this in an upper to middle class, half Jewish area you have to wonder."
At least two of the dead were reported to be Jewish, and ZAKA reported that some of the injured were Jewish as well. Among the dead was an elderly Jewish man, the emergency rescue organization said. The Israeli Midwest Consulate was reportedly in touch with the community and authorities.
The shooting happened four blocks away from a Chabad center, Chabad news reported on Monday night. In a video of the incident, it appears that a klezmer band was playing when the shooter attacked. According to Chabad, the Jewish community is often quite involved with the parade, usually having a menorah float.
The shooter was arrested later that evening — To her shock, the son of a man that Deborah had known her whole life.
Feeling "safer on the Gaza border"
"Devastated to hear the news from Highland Park, where a day of celebration became a day of tragedy," said Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid late Monday night. "My thoughts are with the families of the victims and all the American people. Today as always, Israel stands with our American friends."
"I am following the horrible news from Highland Park," said Yinam Cohen, Israeli consul general to the US Midwest. "Our hearts and prayers are with the members of the community. We thank the local authorities for their immediate response."