The Highland Park shooting suspect confessed to carrying out the massacre during police interview, prosecutors say

• The Highland Park, Illinois, parade shooting suspect confessed to police that he carried out the massacre, prosecutors said.
• The 21-year-old man made a "voluntary statement confessing to his actions," said a prosecutor.

A 21-year-old man charged with killing seven people and wounding dozens of others in a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, confessed to carrying out the massacre to police, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Ben Dillon said during a bond hearing for the shooting suspect that he made a "voluntary statement confessing to his actions" as police interviewed him.

Dillon said the shooting suspect identified himself and the legally-purchased, high-powered rifle used in Monday's Independence Day attack on surveillance footage.

The suspect told police that he climbed up on the rooftop of a business along the parade route and "looked down his sights and opened fire," Dillon said.

Authorities say that the gunman fired off more than 70 rounds from the rooftop onto the crowds of innocent parade-goers below during the rampage in the Chicago suburb.

The shooting suspect, who wore a black T-shirt during his first court appearance on Wednesday, sat silent as a judge ordered him held without bail.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for July 28.

The suspect, who police say "pre-planned" the attack for several weeks, has been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder for the massacre.

Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart has said that dozens more charges are expected against the man.

Authorities said on Tuesday that the shooting suspect disguised himself in women's clothing before the rampage to make it easier for him to evade police.

The suspect escaped from the chaotic scene after the massacre, blending in with the fleeing crowds before police arrested him hours later.

Following his escape, the suspect made his way towards Madison, Wisconsin, as he contemplated carrying out another attack, officials said on Wednesday.