CHICAGO, Illinois (Washington Insider Magazine) – Seven charges of first-degree murder were brought against the 21-year-old suspect in the Highland Park, Illinois, 4th of July parade shooting on Tuesday.
Police said the accused, Robert “Bobby” Crimo III, fired shots at revelers and marchers, resulting in 7 deaths and at least 38 injuries. State Attorney for Lake County Eric Rinehart told reporters that he will ask a court to place the suspected shooter in custody while the investigation is ongoing.
The accused is facing up life in jail without the possibility of parole.
Authorities assert that more than 70 bullets were fired from the shooter’s assault rifle, which was similar to an AR-15, during the massacre, which they think was the result of weeks of planning.
According to police, the man is accused of firing shots from a company roof that he allegedly reached via a fire escape ladder.
According to police, Crimo dressed as a woman during the assault to allegedly conceal his face tattoos and fit in with the crowd as he escaped.
According to investigators, it seems that Crimo purchased the firearm legally in Illinois.
After the incident, Crimo is said to have dropped the weapon beneath a red blanket, and police say they are eager to speak with a witness who saw this.
Over the past year or so, Crimo reportedly purchased five firearms, including 2 rifles, according to the police.
When questioned by reporters about whether the shooter had a specific target in mind, police responded that the “shooting appears to be completely random.”
According to many law enforcement officials, the suspect, who was captured Monday evening following an hour-long manhunt, is speaking with detectives and has admitted to carrying out the attack.
According to state police, the suspect cleared four background checks while buying guns in June 2020, twice in July 2020, and once in September 2021. State police stated that the sole infraction on his record was a tobacco possession ordinance violation from January 2016, and they did not have any allegations of his mental health being an impediment from medical staff or facilities.
According to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told ABC News, the suspected shooter is believed to have been involved in social media posts that describe or show violent activities, including shooting people.
The suspected shooter shared a residence with his uncle, Paul Crimo, however the two didn’t do much more than say hello to one another, Paul Crimo told ABC News.
The night before the shooting, according to Paul Crimo, was the last time he spoke to his nephew, and he expressed shock at the possibility of his involvement.
Assault rifles should be banned, said Rinehart.
A continuing investigation, according to the state attorney, who urged anybody with information or video from the site to contact his office.
According to investigators, the horrific shooting started around 3-quarters of the way through the suburban Chicago parade on Monday morning.
