Spectators run after hearing gunshots in a shooting at the July 4 parade in Illinois
Robert Crimo, the suspect in the mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois, was charged Tuesday with seven counts of first-degree murder.
If convicted, he will face life in prison with no possibility of parole. More charges, including potential federal ones, are expected to be announced in the coming days and weeks.
Authorities say the July 4 massacre was not the first time the 21-year-old has been linked to violence. In 2019, Crimo threatened to “kill everyone” in his home, authorities have revealed.
Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon that officers were called to Robert E Crimo’s home in September 2019 and confiscated several knives, but did not arrest him. suspicious.
Crimo is suspected of climbing a fire escape and firing more than 70 rounds of ammunition at the July 4 parade crowd from the roof of a business, leaving five dead at the scene, injuring two people and dozens of wounds.
He was arrested about eight hours later after an intense human hunt.
Photo of Robert Crimo dressed as a woman to escape the mass shooting area
(WGN9)
Covelli previously said the suspect “planned his attack for several weeks” and dressed in women’s clothing as a costume so he could escape the radar as he fled the scene.
The names of six of the seven victims have been announced: Katherine Goldstein, 64, Irina McCarthy, 35, Kevin McCarthy, 37, Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63, Stephen Strauss, 88, and Nicolas Toledo. Zaragoza, 78.
Key points
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Look: how the shooting at Highland Park unfolded on the ground
The July 4 festivities turned into bloody chaos in the Illinois city of Highland Park when bursts of gunfire over celebratory music were heard and screaming spectators ran to save their lives.
The video appeared to be captured from a teenage girl’s cell phone, the video began showing families sitting on the sidewalk, watching a band pass by.
But suddenly the gang members started running and sprinted in the direction of the parade route as observers began to jump off the ground.
Josh Marcus July 6, 2022 4:00 p.m.
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Community members in shock while Robert Crimo was charging in a shooting in Highland Park
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering has revealed that she once served as the leader of Robert Crimo’s Cub Scout, the 22-year-old accused of seven counts of murder in the July 4 mass shooting that left seven dead and dozens injured.
Speaking to NBC Today Show presenter Hoda Kotb on Tuesday morning, Ms. Rotering explained that she could not say whether Crimo was known to authorities before the Independence Day shooting, but that she had personally met him. how many years earlier when he was working as a Cub Scout leader in the area.
“I know him as someone who was a Cub Scout when I was the leader of the Cub Scout,” Ms. Rotering said. “And it’s one of those things where you step back and say, ‘What happened?’ How did someone get so angry, so hateful and then do it with innocent people who were literally just spending a day with their family?
When the host asked him if he had specific memories of Mr. Crimo from when he was a small child, the mayor maintained his forceful but succinct response: “He was just a small child.”
Johanna Chisholm has more.
Josh Marcus July 6, 2022 3:30 p.m.
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What does Robert Crimo’s ’47’ tattoo mean?
The 21-year-old suspected of opening fire at the July 4 Highland Park parade appears to have an obsession with the number 47.
Police believe Robert “Bobby” Crimo III dressed in a wig and women’s clothing before using a high-powered rifle to shoot more than 70 meats at a crowd in the Chicago suburbs Monday morning, killing six and injuring dozens.
Crimo left a wide digital footprint in which the aspiring rapper, who acted under the alter-ego Awake, frequently referred to the number 47.
He also had the number tattooed on the side of his face, and it was also painted on the door of a car parked in front of his house.
Bevan Hurley has the details.
Josh Marcus July 6, 2022 3:00 p.m.
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Republicans are already spreading conspiracy theories about the Highland Park shooting
Marjorie Taylor Greene admitted to spreading a photo with photoshop while downplaying a series of baseless claims about the mass shooting at a July 4 parade in Highland Park, Illinois.
The representative of Georgia, a first-term MP known for promoting extravagant conspiracy theories, began her bizarre claims on Monday hours after the shooting when she suggested alleged gunman Robert Crimo could be blamed for illicit drug abuse or to the side effects of -used antidepressants.
Despite the lack of publicly available evidence to indicate that Mr. Crimo was a drug user of any kind, Ms. Greene took to Twitter on Monday afternoon to say that anyone who did not understand her claims was part of a cover-up on behalf of the pharmaceutical industry.
“When are we going to have an honest conversation about drug abuse, mental illness and SSRIs … and deadly side effects? Are we really going to keep pretending? Or does it cover Big Pharma? Because I’m absolutely done with the political moves on this [bulls***]”she wrote. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are drugs that are often used as antidepressants.
Andrew Feinberg has the full report.
Josh Marcus July 6, 2022 2:30 p.m.
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LOOK: The Highland Park official is calling for a ban on assault weapons
Eric Rinehart, the Lake County attorney general, has called on Illinois and the United States in general to ban assault rifles.
Mr. Rinehart, a resident of Highland Park, said Illinois already has a strong red-flag law, but more needs to be done to prevent further gun tragedies.
“All the people who died a few steps from here lost their freedom, all. Every gram of freedom they had. The freedom to love. The freedom to learn. And the freedom to live a full life, “the state’s attorney said.” His freedom also matters. We need to do more as we think and reflect on his freedom this July 5. “
Josh Marcus July 6, 2022 2:00 p.m.
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Robert Crimo: videos of beheadings, glorification of school shootings and obsession with 47
Robert Crimo’s fixation on violence seems to have left the world online and has entered the real lives of innocent families, friends and residents who had attended the July 4 parade in Highland Park.
Rachel Sharp has the details.
Josh Marcus July 6, 2022 1:40 p.m.
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What we know so far about the victims of the Highland Park mass shooting
A loving grandfather, a married couple with a two-year-old son and a preschool teacher are among the seven victims mortally wounded during the Independence Day mass shooting in Highland Park.
Josh Marcus July 6, 2022 1:20 p.m.
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A photo of Robert Crimo disguised in women’s clothing appears to flee the Highland Park shooting
The Highland Park shooting suspect “planned his attack for several weeks” and wore women’s clothing as a disguise so he could escape the scene of the mass shooting where he had just killed six victims, according to law enforcement.
Josh Marcus July 6, 2022 1:00 p.m.
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LOOK: State police explain why they didn’t stop Robert Crimo from buying guns
Today, Illinois state police explained how Robert Crimo III was able to legally apply for a gun possession card.
Josh Marcus July 6, 2022 12:45 AM
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Should officials have done more to prevent Robert Crimo from getting a gun?
When he allegedly committed the shooting in Highland Park, 21-year-old Robert Crimo had five weapons, including two rifles, pistols and possibly a shotgun, according to police.
At the stage of the investigation, officials say it appears Crimo bought the weapons legally in the Chicagoland area.
This is despite two troubling incidents in 2019, when Mr. Crimo attempted suicide and then threatened to kill his entire family, and an Illinois “red flag” law was intended to keep guns out. people at risk of being violent.
Illinois state police say that since no incident in 2019 resulted in any charge, arrest or confiscation of firearms, it was not enough for them to declare a clear and present danger and deny the FOID application.
Josh Marcus July 6, 2022 12:29 AM