By Aaron Miller-
A two-year-old left orphaned after both of his parents were killed when a rooftop sniper opened fire on the Fourth of July parade in Chicago.
Irina McCarthy, 35, and Kevin McCarthy, 37, were among at least seven killed in the attack on Monday, in which around 50 people also suffered gunshot wounds and other injuries.
Their toddler, Aiden, (picture)was separated from his parents in the chaos of the shooting.
He was later returned to his grandparents by the police, a fundraising page said.
Sine then more than $1,850,000 (£1,500,000) has been raised on a GoFundMe page set up to help Aiden’s family with ‘raising, caring for and supporting’ him.
The Gofundme page reads: “In the aftermath of the Highland Park, IL shootings on July 4, the North Shore community rallied to help a boy who we knew nothing about.
“We took him to safety under tragic circumstances, came together to locate his grandparents, and prayed for the safety of his family.
“Sadly, I need to share his name…Aiden McCarthy. And he needs more of our help. His parents Irina & Kevin were killed during the July 4 shooting. At two years old, Aiden is left in the unthinkable position; to grow up without his parents.
“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.
“On behalf of his family, and with their permission, I am establishing this fundraiser to support him and the caregivers who will be tasked with raising, caring for, and supporting Aiden as he and his support system embark on this unexpected journey.
“Thank you for your generosity, kindness and support.”
‘At two years old, Aiden is left in the unthinkable position; to grow up without his parents,’ said the fundraiser’s founder, Irina Colon.
‘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 will have a long road ahead to heal,” wrote Irina Colon, who organised the GoFundMe page with the family’s permission.
She added that Aiden’s grandparents will care for him.
The fund has raised nearly $1.4m (£1.17m) so far.
At just two years old, Aiden has lost both of his parents Irina and Kevin McCarthy, 35 and 37 (Picture: GoFundMe)
“In the aftermath of the Highland Park, IL shootings on July 4, the North Shore community rallied to help a boy who we knew nothing about. We took him to safety under tragic circumstances, came together to locate his grandparents, and prayed for the safety of his family,” Ms Colon wrote.
“Sadly, I need to share his name…Aiden McCarthy. And he needs more of our help.
“His parents Irina & Kevin were killed during the July 4 shooting. At two years old, Aiden is left in the unthinkable position; to grow up without his parents.
“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.
‘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.
‘On behalf of his family, and with their permission, I am establishing this fundraiser to support him and the caregivers who will be tasked with raising, caring for, and supporting Aiden as he and his support system embark on this unexpected journey.’
Irina says the community of North Shore came together to ‘help a boy who we knew nothing about’ and ‘prayed for the safety of his family’.
The largest single donation so far was $18,000 made by Will Ackman, while anonymous donors have each pledged sums of $10,000 and $5,000.
Aiden was found by Lauren Silva, 38, and her boyfriend after they heard gunshots as they were heading to Walker Bros restaurant for breakfast.