HIGHLAND PARK (Ill. aEUR”) The man accused of killing seven people during an Independence Day parade admitted to police that he fired a hailof bullets from a roof in suburban Chicago. He then fled to Madison, Wisconsin where he thought about setting up an event there.
After deciding that he wasn’t ready to carry out another attack in Wisconsin, the suspect fled to Illinois and was arrested. Christopher Covelli, spokesperson for Lake County Major Crime Task Force, stated this at a press conference after the hearing, during which the 21-year old man was denied bond.
Another American community was left reeling after the shooting at the parade. This time it was Highland Park, a wealthy suburb of Lake Michigan. More than twenty-six people were injured, some critically. Hundreds of parents, children, and marchers fled in panic.
Covelli stated that it didn’t appear that the suspect planned an attack in Wisconsin. However, he fled to Wisconsin after seeing another Independence Day celebration, and “seriously considered” firing on it. According to Covelli, the assailant had abandoned the semi-automatic rifle that he used in Illinois. However, he still had a similar rifle and 60 additional rounds.
Later, police found the phone in Middleton (Wisconsin), which is approximately 135 miles from Highland Park.
Police warned the gunman that he was still at large hours before his arrest and advised that he be considered dangerous and armed. Many nearby cities cancelled events like parades or fireworks. The majority of festivities took place in or around Madison, Wisconsin’s capital.
Shon Barnes, Madison Police Chief, stated Wednesday at a press conference that the FBI had urged the department to prepare its SWAT team on Monday night because they believed the gunman might be in the area. Barnes claimed that he wasn’t warned by the FBI at the time about the possibility of further attacks.
Lake County Assistant State’s attorney Ben Dillon stated in court that the gunman had climbed up the fire escape from a building high above Highland Park parade and “looked down at his sights, pointed” and fired at pedestrians. The gunman left behind three ammunition magazines and 83 bullets on the roof. According to police, he initially tried to evade capture by pretending to be a woman and blend into the crowd fleeing.
Covelli stated that some of the injured were still in critical condition and that the death toll could rise. Already, the shooting has left a 2-year old boy without his parents, and families are grieving the loss their beloved grandparents. A synagogue is also mourning the passing of a congregant who had been on the staff for many decades.
Eric Rinehart, Lake County State’s Attorney, stated that he would bring attempted murder and other aggravated battery cases against each person who was hurt.
He stated that “there will be many, many more” charges at a press conference. He estimated that these charges would be announced in the latter part of this month.
The mandatory sentence for murder in the first degree is life imprisonment without parole.
Robert Crimo III was the suspect. He wore a long-sleeve black shirt while he appeared before the court via video. The suspect, Robert Crimo III, did not speak much as the prosecution described the shooting. He only stated to the judge that he didn’t have a lawyer.
Thomas A. Durkin was a prominent Chicago lawyer who said Tuesday that he would represent Crimo. He also stated that he intends to plead not guilty to all charges. Durkin, however, told the court Wednesday that there was a conflict of interests in the case. Crimo was assigned a public defense.
Rinehart also suggested that Crimo’s parents could be charged, but he told reporters that he didn’t want to answer that question now that the investigation is continuing.
The lawyer for Crimo’s parents Steve Greenberg told The Associated Press that they aren’t worried about their son’s case being investigated.
There were also questions about how the suspect managed to get around Illinois’ strict gun laws and legally buy five guns, including the powerful rifle that was used in the shooting. This was despite being summoned twice by authorities in 2019 for threats to violence or suicide.
After a family member called police, Crimo threatened to “kill everyone” at the house. Police responded by going to the address. Covelli claimed that police took 16 knives, a knife, and a dagger from the home, but that there was no evidence that he had guns. This was September 2019. Covelli stated that in April 2019, police also responded to Crimo’s suicide attempt.
Crimo was 19 when he applied for a license from the Illinois state police. According to Covelli, his father sponsored the application and he bought the semi-automatic rifles for him in 2020.
According to police, he bought five guns, which were then recovered at the home of his father. He bought four guns when he was 21 years old and a fifth one after his birthday in 2011.
His gun purchases were just one example of young men who, despite obvious warning signs about their mental health, were able acquire guns and commit mass murders.
In a statement, the state police defended the way the application was handled. They stated that there was not enough evidence at the time to establish a clear, present danger and denied the application.
Covelli stated that investigators who interrogated the suspect, and looked at his social media posts, have not found any evidence of a motive, or any indication that he targeted victims based on race, religion, or another protected status.
Officials in Highland Park approved a ban against semi-automatic weapons in 2013 and large-capacity ammunition magazines. The liberal suburban stance was quickly challenged by a local doctor and the Illinois State Rifle Association. In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the case was not heard and allowed the restrictions to stand.
Rinehart answered the question of whether Crimo’s case shows flaws in state laws by saying that “the gap” in the state gun laws would be that they don’t ban assault guns.
Illinois law allows gun buyers to refuse to purchase guns to those who are convicted of felonies or addicted to narcotics. This provision could have prevented a suicidal Crimo obtaining a gun.
However, the law does not specify who this provision applies to. This must be determined by “a court or board, commission, or other legal authority.”
The red flag law is a state law that aims to prevent dangerous people from killing. However, it is only for family members, friends, and police to request a judge to order guns to be seized.
Crimo, also known as Bobby, was an aspiring rapper who went by the stage name Awake The Rapper. He posted on social media many videos and songs, some of them ominous or violent.
