Smashing Pumpkins lead singer Billy Corgan and partner Chloe Mendel host Highland Park benefit concert

Billy Corgan, lead singer of the rock band Smashing Pumpkins, and his accomplice Chloe Mendel will host a profit live performance Wednesday night for the victims of a mass taking pictures in Highland Park, Illinois. Seven individuals died and dozens of others had been injured within the incident, which occurred at a Fourth of July parade this yr. 

"We had been so shocked by what had occurred and, after all, the harm to our neighborhood, not solely the carnage that occurred however the psychological results -- the psychological well being results," Corgan instructed "CBS Mornings" on Wednesday. "Twelve hundred individuals a day have been going to the native highschool searching for psychological well being care so we felt that void and needed to step in that void."

Corgan, who has lived in Highland Park for 20 years, and Mendel, who has lived there for 10, personal a restaurant located just one block away from the place the deadly incident occurred. The institution was closed down for per week by the FBI following the mass taking pictures, Corgan mentioned, including that he hopes Wednesday's charity live performance helps to "reclaim the house" because the cafe has reopened. 

"We simply need to share love and unity," he mentioned. "We're making an attempt to simply use music to form of convey individuals collectively, to get everyone transferring again in the identical course and I let you know, this neighborhood actually wants it."

On July 4, police and witnesses mentioned a gunman started taking pictures at a crowd of people who had been celebrating the Fourth of July from the roof of a enterprise close to the parade route. Almost 9 hours later, 21-year-old Robert "Bobby" Crimo III, who had been recognized as an individual of curiosity, was arrested. 

Crimo has been charged with seven counts of first-degree homicide and officers mentioned they anticipate "dozens of extra expenses" to return. 

Mendel mentioned she has not instructed her two younger youngsters that she shares with Corgan concerning the violent day. 

"We nonetheless do not know how one can share with them what occurred as a result of so many individuals are damage. So many youngsters and households are affected by this," Mendel instructed "CBS Mornings." 

"That is a dialog that is actually powerful for us to have presently," Corgan added. "Our youngsters are positively asking questions and the day will come. We're simply not there but."

He described Highland Park as a "very tight-knit neighborhood" that's "very delicate to gun violence."

"I feel they're turning to one another not solely to heal however to form of arrange and get centered on the long run," Corgan mentioned of the neighborhood within the taking pictures's aftermath. "So far as younger individuals go, you see them actually at a loss for what to do. They're animated. They need to do one thing, however they really feel so   powerless and you actually see it with the younger individuals on this neighborhood. They're actually grappling with what this implies for them."

Mendel famous that the city, although, is "not outlined by this tragedy."

"We're outlined by how the neighborhood has come collectively to acknowledge those that need assistance and be there for one another," she mentioned. "It is unimaginable."

The profit live performance might be streamed stay on the Smashing Pumpkins' official YouTube channel Wednesday evening at 9 p.m. EST the place viewers can donate to the neighborhood basis. 

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