Officials have confirmed that a person of concern in the July Fourth mass shooting was taken into custody.
Robert E. Crimo III was seen driving a silver Honda Fit through north Chicago just hours after the attack. Highland Park Police Chief Lou Jogmen stated Monday night that Crimo tried to flee from an officer who attempted to “initiate traffic stops”.
Jogmen stated that Crimo surrendered after a brief chase, but he was eventually taken into custody.
Jogmen stated that the investigation is progressing quickly and said Crimo would be questioned by department investigators “to confirm or see if he is actually connected to this incident.”
Jogmen refused to label Crimo as a suspect in this stage of the investigation when Jogmen was pressed. According to the police chief, more information is needed to tie him to the shooting that resulted in six deaths and many other injuries. Crimo was initially identified as 22-year-old by authorities, but an FBI bulletin now lists him as 21-years-old.
According to Jennifer Banek, Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek, five of the six victims were adults who died on the spot. Families are being notified that all five victims have been identified.
At a local hospital, the sixth victim was killed. There was no additional information.
Chief Joe Schrage of Highland Park Fire said that a child who was critically injured was among the nearly two dozen people being taken to hospital. Gunshot wounds to the abdomen or limbs are just a few of the injuries.
NPR member station WBEZ reported that the majority of wounded are being treated with gunshot wounds. Due to the chaos that followed the parade, some people sustained “sustained injuries.”
Schrage stated that crews responded quickly to the scene, as well as witnesses who assisted in tying tourniquets.
According to Sgt. Christopher Covelli, Lake County Major Crime Task Force.
Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the shooting. The suspect was on the roof of a commercial building. The shooter allegedly gained access to the roof through an alleyway using a ladder attached to the building that was unlocked.
Cmdr. Chris O’Neill, Highland Park Police stated that the crime scene remains active and that officials are clearing out buildings in the vicinity. People who were sheltered are being evacuated.
Miles Zaremski said that he mistakenly thought the gunshots were fireworks or a car backfiring when he heard them first.
He said, “The crowd suddenly started running in a stampede fashion.”
“And then, I gingerly moved a bit forward and all of the sudden I see blood on cement. And then I saw individuals in pools and blood… I knew it was a mass shooting.
Zaremski stated that he ran to help, but was quickly taken away by emergency services and police who arrived on the scene in a matter of minutes.
He said that he saw the carnage and almost fell to his death.
Zaremski, who has lived in Highland Park for over 40 years, described it as a peaceful and loving community that is far from the chaos he had experienced.
“It’s surreal. He said that it must have been a science-fiction film he had just seen, but it wasn’t. “Our country is scary.”
O’Neill stated that the shooter started firing around 10:14 AM local time. Although it is not clear how many shots were fired by the shooter, several witnesses claimed that they heard 20 rounds or more.
It happened quickly and firefighters and police were already there because of the parade. O’Neill said that the department is well-trained in rapid deployment, rapid intervention and rendering aid.
Hours after the attack, President Joe Biden issued a statement. He signed a bipartisan gun safety bill less than 10 days before.
“Jill, I were shocked at the senseless gun violence that brought pain to an American community on Independence Day.
He said that the new law included actions that would save lives.
This is the first gun reform legislation that Congress has passed in almost 30 years. It was signed just a month after two other mass shootings.
Illinois Gov. J. J.
“There are no words to describe the monster who waits and then fires into a crowd full of children enjoying a holiday with their family.” Pritzker stated in a statement that there are no words to describe the evil that takes our neighbors’ hopes, dreams, and futures.
“We must aEUR” to end the violence in gun ranges.
Nancy Rotering, Highland Park Mayor, said that her heart goes out to the loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic time. We are not celebrating community and freedom today, but we are grieving the loss of life and dealing with the terror.
This is breaking news. Some of the things that are reported by media outlets will be later proven to be incorrect. We will be focusing on reports from officials, other authorities, credible news outlets, and reporters who were present at the scene. As the situation changes, we will keep you informed.
