These Highland Park Local Heroes Ran To Help During Mass Shooting

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Marjorie Brooks, who nominated her son Tommy Brooks and grandson Morgan Brooks, both of Highland Park, for their actions during the tragic events this year on Independence Day in their hometown.

Local hero’s full name
Morgan and Tommy Brooks

Local hero’s home town
Highland Park, Illinois

How do you know the local hero?
My Grandson and son

What does the local hero do?
Morgan is a sophomore in college. Tommy is in real estate

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?

On July 4th 2022 there was a mass shooting. Morgan and Tommy were on their way to get pancakes. They were walking up the stairs in the middle of Port Clinton when they heard a gun.

Instead of running away, they went towards the center of the shooting. They found Kevin McCarthy, still breathing but struggling. Morgan ran to save his life, not knowing if Bob Crimo Jr. was still shooting his gun, and so did Tommy.

Morgan took his shirt off and wrapped Kevin's leg with it and put his fist in the wound to try to stop the bleeding. Tommy and Morgan turned Kevin over and found his son Aiden. They saved the life of the baby. They then called Tommy's girlfriend up from the garage to hand her the baby so that they could help others. Nobody was there but injured people.

Morgan and Tommy and real heroes and should be recognized. Morgan works at Home Depot and was given the Angel Award for Heroes. Both of them could have been killed. They saw a person dying and thought they could help. Unfortunately, Kevin did die in Morgan's arm, but the baby was saved.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero?

They are true heroes. It takes a special person to do what they both did.

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Thank you for all you do, Morgan and Tommy Brooks!

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Know someone making a difference in town? Nominate them here.