HIGHLAND PARK (Ill.) — Friday saw the beginning of funerals and memorial services for victims of the shooting at Highland Park, Illinois on July Fourth. The suspect’s uncle offered his condolences to the family.
Paul Crimo stated that he was shocked to learn that his nephew was being accused of shooting seven people in an affluent Chicago suburb.
“We are sorry, we are just sorry. Paul Crimo, who was leaving the house he shared with the suspect and his father, said that he was very sorry to NBC News.
It was very difficult to believe. It’s extremely hard, it is very difficult, my entire life has changed.
Hours after the attack that left many more people injured, the younger Crimo was taken into custody.
Crimo was 21 years old when he bought the AR-15-style AR-15 weapon that was allegedly used in Monday’s attack. This purchase was made possible by his father, who sponsored his Firearm Owners Identification Application (FOID).
It is unclear what criminal culpability, if any could be attributed to the suspect’s father.
Thursday’s statement by the lawyer representing the suspect’s parents stated that he is no longer representing them due to an undisclosed conflict.
Attorney Steve Greenberg stated that he remains hopeful that this tragedy will lead to meaningful change.
The horror continues to impact first responders.
Louis Jogmen, the chief of police in the city, stated that “for this to happen here it hurts all our officers.”
He remembered how the morning began with celebration, when he handed out baseball cards to children during the parade.
Jogmen was told by a mother of one those children that the casual encounter saved her life because it prevented her and her son “from going over” to join the line of fire at the parade route.
Chief Joe Schrage, Highland Park firefighter, stated that he believes his team’s trauma care training was vital in saving lives.
He said, “Because it is really important to have a viable victim of trauma, especially if the wound is penetrating,”
According to the chief, one firefighter tied around 15 tourniquets.
He said, “So, those people probably had a much greater viable chance right away.” “I believe we saved every possible victim that was there.”
Friday saw services for Stephen Straus (88), Jacki Sundheim (63), and Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza (78). A service will be held for Eduardo Uvaldo (69).
The funeral details of the victims remaining are not public.
Cassie Goldstein said that Katherine Goldstein (64), who was grieving the loss of her mother, was looking for a way to have fun and get out of her house. Kevin McCarthy, 37 and Irina McCarthy 35 were accompanied by their 2-year-old son Aiden.
“He kept saying, shots, shots’,” Tom Brooks, a man who helped to the toddler, said to NBC’s “TODAY”. He would repeat, “Mom shot, Dad shot.” He kept saying it.”
According to GoFundMe, Aiden was not hurt in the massacre. Family members will care for him.
More than $3 million had been donated to the toddler as of Friday.
