Stephen Straus was one of the seven victims who was killed in the Highland Park shooting on Monday, which unfolded during a Fourth of July parade in Illinois. More than two dozen people were also injured in the incident.

Law enforcement authorities identified Robert Crimo III, a 22-year-old, as the prime suspect in the shooting. He was charged with seven counts of first-degree murder on Tuesday.

Also Read: Highland Park shooting: US VP Harris addresses gun violence at ground zero

Who was Stephen Straus?

Stephen Straus was the oldest of all victims who were killed in the Highland Park shooting on July 4, 2022. He was 88 years old.

Stephen Straus’ grandchildren Maxwell and Tobias Straus spoke to the Associated Press after the incident and revealed that Stephen was one of the first observers at the parade and attended it every year. Stephen Straus reportedly was a financial adviser in Chicago.

Stephen Straus’ grandchildren described him as a kind and active man who loved walking, biking and attending community events, Associated Press reported.

The two brothers recalled Sunday night dinners with their grandparents as a favorite tradition. They said they ate with him the night before he was killed.

Even though not much is known about Stephen Straus’ personal life, his grandchildren were highly critical of “America’s gun culture” which is “killing grandparents.”

Also Read: Highland Park shooting: 5 things you need to know about suspect Robert ‘Bobby’ E Crimo

Stephen Straus’ niece Cynthia said in an interview, “He was an honorable man who worked his whole life and looked out for his family and gave everyone the best he had”, the New York Times reported. She added, “He was kind and gentle and had huge intelligence and humor and wit.”

Law enforcement officials have not yet revealed the identity of the seventh victim of the shooting, who died in the hospital. The remaining victims are Katherine Goldstein (64); Jacquelyn Sundheim (63); Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza (78); Kevin McCarthy (37) and Irina McCarthy (35).