The suspect in Monday’s massacre at a suburban Chicago 4th of July parade has been charged with seven counts of first degree murder.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart called the shooting by Robert “Bobby” Crimo III, 21, a “premeditated and calculated attack” and said he potentially faces dozens more charges, WBBM reported.
“Attempt murder charges, aggravated discharge charges, aggravated battery charges: There will be dozens of more charges against Mr. Crimo,” Rinehart said.
Investigators say Crimo opened fire from a rooftop in the affluent Highland Park suburb, where he lived, just 15 minutes after the parade began on Monday. Seven people were killed and dozens wounded, as CrimeOnline previously reported. Crimo fled the scene disguised as a woman and was later found in another suburb further north, Lake Forest, and was taken into custody with no shots fired.
Police say Crimo bought the rifle — “similar to an AR-15″ — used in the deadly shooting legally — along with four other firearms — in the past year, according to ABC News. Crimo dropped the rifle near the scene, and police confiscated the other four weapons, including another high-powered rifle, from his father’s home.
Crimo was allowed to buy the weapons despite clear evidence of violent tendencies, including his multiple “Awake the Rapper” videos and at least two police calls to his home.
Lake County Major Crimes Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said police responded in April 2019 to a reported suicide attempt and in September 2019 to a call from a family member who said Crimo was threatening “to kill everyone.” Police confiscated 16 knives, a dagger, and a sword, Covelli said, but so no signs he had any firearms.
That changed in December 2019, when his father sponsored his application for a gun license. State police said “there was insufficient basis to establish a clear and present danger” that would allow them to deny the application.
Crimo, who authorities say planned Monday’s assault for weeks, is expected in bond court on Wednesday, WLS reported.
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[Featured image: Robert Crimo III/FBI]
