Topline
Robert Crimo III—the 21-year-old arrested for allegedly carrying out a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois—was charged with seven counts of first-degree murder Tuesday, with a prosecutor saying “dozens of more charges” are anticipated.
Brooke and Matt Strauss, who were married Sunday, look toward the scene of the mass shooting in … [+]
Key Facts
Crimo faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted of the first-degree murder counts, according to Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, who announced the charges.
Additional charges will focus on specific victims and could include attempted murder, aggravated discharge and aggravated battery counts, according to Rinehart.
Rinehart said prosecutors will request a judge deny Crimo the possibility of bail, calling the shooting a “well-orchestrated and carefully planned crime.”
Crucial Quote
“What should have been a celebration of freedom has ended in despair for our community,” Rinehart said.
Key Background
Authorities say seven people were killed and more than 30 were injured when Crimo allegedly opened fire into a crowd of parade spectators in Highland Park—a suburb of Chicago—on Monday. Sgt. Christopher Covelli of the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force said Crimo positioned himself on a rooftop overlooking the parade, where he fired more than 70 rounds of ammunition into the crowd using a high-powered assault rifle he legally purchased near Chicago. Crimo was arrested hours after the shooting, with authorities saying he abandoned his weapon and escaped into the fleeing crowd by disguising himself as a woman. Covelli said Crimo was known to law enforcement for two incidents: An April 2019 suicide attempt and a September 2019 report from a family member who said Crimo had threatened to “kill everyone.” Police seized 16 knives, a dagger and a sword from Crimo following the reported threat, but Covelli said there was “no probable cause for arrest” at the time. Crimo did not own a firearm during either of the earlier incidents, according to Covelli.
What We Don’t Know
The motive for the shooting remains unclear, but authorities say there is no sign race or religion played a factor.
Further Reading
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/07/05/alleged-highland-park-shooter-charged-with-7-counts-of-first-degree-murder/