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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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
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County attorney calls for ban on assault weapons in Illinois “and beyond” following shootings in Highland Park
Lake County State Attorney Eric Rinehart called for a state and national ban on assault weapons following the mass shooting at a July 4 parade that left seven people dead and dozens more injured. Highland Park, Illinois.
Mr Rinehart, a Highland Park resident, appeared at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon to announce that alleged Highland Park mass shooter Robert Crimo has been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder and said there will be more charges against Crime.
He also used his platform to call on elected officials to tighten arms control measures as the United States faces another eruption of mass shootings inflicted by alleged gunmen who legally bought their firearms.
“We should also ban assault weapons in Illinois and beyond,” Rinehart said. “The ban on assault weapons was implemented in 1994 with bipartisan support and with the support of law enforcement. It lasted ten years, and studies have shown that mass shootings like what happened yesterday they went down during those ten years. We should have the same ban in Illinois and beyond. “
Abe Asher with full report.
Josh Marcus July 6, 2022 12:10 AM
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Robert Crimo could face “dozens” of more charges in the coming days
Robert Crimo III, who has been charged with seven counts of murder in the Highland Park shooting, could face “dozens” more charges in the coming days and months, according to state and federal officials.
Authorities are still investigating how the 21-year-old bought weapons and planned his attack, and whether anyone else is responsible for helping him gain access to the multiple firearms he had in his possession.
Josh Marcus July 5, 2022 11:58 PM
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Robert Crimo faces life sentence without parole after being charged with seven counts of first-degree murder by Highland Park shootings
Robert Crimo, the young man accused of attacking a July 4 parade in the Chicago suburbs, has been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder.
Just 24 hours after authorities announced that they had arrested the 21-year-old, who allegedly attacked the parade in Highland Park with a high-powered rifle, they said the seven charges were probably only the first and could continue. no more. If convicted, he will serve a mandatory life sentence with no possibility of parole.
“In the courtroom, we will ask for the maximum penalty against this criminal. Not because we seek revenge, but because justice and the healing process demand it, ”said Lake County State Attorney Eric Rinehart.
Andrew Buncombe follows this breaking news.
Josh Marcus July 5, 2022 11:47 PM