Like most cities on July 4th, Highland Park was celebrating the country’s Independence Day when cheers turned to screams as Robert Crimo III opened fire from a rooftop.
The mass shooting left seven dead and many more injured. Crimo III was arrested after a manhunt found him five miles from the site, hours after the shooting during the Highland Park parade.
Robert Crimo Jr, the father of Crimo III, did not hold back when he spoke to the New York Post, saying that he hopes his son will pay for his shares.
“I want a long sentence,” he said. “That’s life. You know you have consequences for your actions. He made a choice. He didn’t have to do that.”
Lake County District Attorney Eric Rinehart said Crimo would face additional charges in addition to the charges against the murders.
“It’s vital to the healing of this community that every single victim receives justice,” said Rinehart.
Police say Crimo III planned a second attack
Officials released a chilling revelation, saying that after his actions at Highland Park, Crimo III traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, where he contemplated another attack. However, he did not carry out his plan.
Madison police were notified Monday afternoon that Crimo III was at large and may be in the area.
After his arrest, Crimo III freely admitted his crimes during interrogation and shared details of his actions.
A gun was found near where Crimo III opened fire, and it was revealed that he had an additional gun with 60 rounds in his car. First clashes with the police
2019 Police encounters
In April 2019, police received reports that the would-be shooter had attempted suicide. They came to the scene to speak to him and his family and refer them to mental health professionals.
Six months later, police returned to Crimo’s home when it was reported that he was threatening his family members, telling them he would “kill everyone.” The police confiscated part of his knife collection, including 16 knives, a dagger and a sword.
Crimo III said it was just a collection and the weapons would be returned that day. In the years that followed, Crimo Jr. gifted his son a license, despite being only 19, which Crimo III used to purchase five firearms, including rifles, pistols and a shotgun. of hunting. He had previously passed four background checks on his guns.
Aftermath
In the days that followed, residents of Highland Park paid tribute to the victims. They held a candlelight vigil on Wednesday and brought orange ribbons to raise awareness of gun violence.
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