Robert Crimo, 21, charged over the Chicago parade shooting that left seven dead and 30 injured
Robert Crimo “seriously contemplated” carrying out a second mass shooting after fleeing Highland Park and spotting another celebration while still heavily armed. WARNING: GRAPHIC
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An amateur rapper has allegedly confessed to opening fire with a “high-powered rifle” at a Fourth of July parade outside Chicago and revealed he “seriously contemplated” committing a second mass shooting when he fled the scene and spotted another celebration.
Robert “Bobby” Crimo III, 21, was arrested following a large-scale manhunt after seven people were shot dead and at least 30 others – including children – injured, in the suburb of Highland Park in Illinois on Monday. He has been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder and was refused bail at his bond hearing on Wednesday.
Following the hearing, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart announced that Crimo had made a “detailed … voluntary statement” to the Highland Police Department where “he admitted to what he had done” in relation to the “intentional killing of seven individuals”.
Crimo, who drove to Madison, Wisconsin, after the Highland Park massacre, reportedly told authorities that he considered “using the firearm he had in his vehicle” to carry out another mass shooting before his arrest.
Lake County Sheriff’s Department’s Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said Crimo was driving around Madison when he saw a celebration occurring and “seriously contemplated” using the weapon “to commit another shooting”.
Crimo was in possession of the firearm – separate to the one he allegedly used and left behind at Highland Park – and “approximately 60 rounds” of ammunition at the time, he added.
“I can’t speak to why he decided to come back (to Highland Park) from Madison – there are some indications he did not put enough forward thought in to commit another attack,” Mr Covelli said.
A motive has not yet been established but Mr Covelli said Crimo “had some sort of affinity to the number 4 and 7 and in reverse was 7-4”, referencing the July 4th date of the attack as per US configurations.
“The 4-7 apparently comes from music he’s interested in,” Mr Covelli added.
Crimo now faces a mandatory life sentence after being charged with one murder count for each of the victims fatally gunned down at the street parade, Lake County State’s Attorney announced on Tuesday.
“Today, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office has charged Robert Crimo III with seven counts of first degree murder for the killing spree that he has unleashed against our community,” Mr Rinehart said to applause.
“These are just the first of many charges that will be filed against Mr Crimo.”
On Wednesday, Mr Rinehart said Crimo will likely be slapped with many additional charges because “so many people were hurt”.
“For each individual that was hurt people can anticipate an attempted murder charge as well as a aggravated battery with a firearm charge, all those are Class X felonies that have serious prison time associated with them,” Mr Rinehart continued.
“There are many different charges we are reviewing.”
Crimo is expected to be arraigned in August.
Earlier, police said Crimo had pre-planned the deadly attack “for several weeks” and disguised himself as a woman to “blend in” with the crowd.
Crimo reportedly “dressed in women’s clothing” and climbed a fire escape ladder to the roof of a local business where he unleashed at least 70 rounds from a “high-powered rifle into a crowd of innocent people” who had turned out to celebrate Independence Day on the street below, police said.
Mr Covelli said Crimo purchased legally purchased the firearm that was “similar to an AR-15” and left it behind at the scene of the crime before disappearing into the crowd.
“As far as the disguise went … investigators do believe he wore that in an attempt to conceal his facial tattoos and his identity,” Mr Covelli told reporters in a press conference on Tuesday.
“He was seen on a video camera in women’s clothes.
“This person had long hair … so a wig isn’t out of the question.
“Following the attack, he blended in with the crowd and escaped.”
A surveillance photo obtained by local outlet WGN-TV shows Crimo allegedly wearing what appears to be a long black wig as he fled the scene of the mass shooting after turning the typically joyous event into a blood-soaked nightmare.
He also appeared to be dressed in a long-sleeve shirt, black gloves and a neck scarf.
Crimo, who was carrying a black backpack, had headphones in and was clutching a phone, too, the footage appears to show.
According to police, the suspected gunman then walked to his mother’s home, who lived in the area, and ”borrowed” her vehicle.
“He walked to his mother’s home, who lived in the area, and blended right in with everyone else as they were running around — almost as he was an innocent spectator as well,” Mr Covelli continued.
“We do believe Crimo pre-planned this attack for several weeks.”
Crimo was captured hours later following a police pursuit and was found to also be in possession of a rifle in the car he was travelling in and other firearms at his home, Mr Covelli added.
While a motive has not yet been established, officials say they have no information to suggest the attack was “racially motivated, motivated by religion or any other protected status.” Videos with violent imagery that were posted online by the suspect are being reviewed, according to authorities.
SIX VICTIMS IN CHICAGO MASS SHOOTING IDENTIFIED
The slain victims of the parade massacre include a married couple whose two-year-old son – who was found by a fleeing passer-by during the mayhem - is now an orphan. Irina McCarthy, 35, and her husband Kevin McCarthy, 37, were shot dead at the parade but incredibly their young son Aiden survived.
“My boyfriend handed me this little boy and said he was underneath this father who was shot in the leg,” Lauren Silva, 38, told the Daily Beast.
“They were trying to stop the bleeding, so I brought the boy downstairs into the garage.”
“He kept asking if mom and dad are going to come back soon,” she said.
A GoFundMe page was set up to support Aiden, which has raised so far more than US$1.8 million. (A$2.7m).
The couple was among seven innocent people shot dead while watching Fourth of July festivities.
Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, a grandfather from Mexico, was the first victim to be identified after the shooting.
Mr Toledo, 78, was at the celebration in his wheelchair when he was shot and killed after Crimo opened fire on revellers from a rooftop, according to police and the victim’s son.
“This morning, someone shoot him,” Mr Toledo’s son, Alejo Toledo, told The Post by phone.
“He’s there to watch everything. Crazy people.”
Mr Toledo said his dad was at the parade with about 15 to 20 other relatives, including the older man’s sons, nieces and nephews.
Numerous other members of the family were injured but only his father was fatally wounded.
“He’s a great father, he working hard long time ago here in the United States, and he’s retired,” he said.
“He’s beautiful, we took a fishing trip three weeks ago.”
Stephen Straus, 88, Katherine Goldstein, 64, Irina McCarthy, 34, Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63, were later named as the other victims.
The seventh person killed is yet to be identified.
“It is with a heavy heart I bring to you the names of the tragedy,” Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek said on Tuesday.
Shattered relatives of Mr Straus described the 88-year-old as a “sweet and gentle” financial adviser who still took the train to his Chicago office every day.
Mr Straus’s grandson Tobias Straus said he was at a “loss for words” when reached by The Post.
“[He was] active, very active … for his age it was pretty remarkable,” Mr Straus said.
“He was in great shape, especially for his age. He definitely could’ve lived a lot longer. He was always biking and walking, and he went to work everyday by choice”.
Cynthia Straus, Stephen’s niece, posted a heartfelt tribute to her uncle on Facebook, writing “no one should die this way.”
“Yesterday, the darkest day you can imagine, my Uncle, my father’s brother, Steve Straus, was killed in The Highland Park 4th of July Day Parade shooting. It was a tragic, senseless loss,” Cynthia wrote.
“He is integral to our family, a kind, sweet and gentle soul with great humour, intelligence and keen wit. He towered over our family like a protective Oak sheltering his own,” she continued.
“Follow The Sun Steve, to the other side of the veil. Only those who have left this world know what awaits, and for me I can only say that if there are bells at Heaven’s Gate they are chiming and cheering for you, for a life well lived, and a soul well served.”
Another victim, Jacki Sundheim, was a lifelong congregant of North Shore Congregation Israel who eventually joined the staff of her synagogue.
“Jacki’s work, kindness and warmth touched us all,” the synagogue said in a statement. “From her early days teaching at the Gates of Learning Preschool to guiding innumerable among us through life’s moments of joy and sorrow as our Events and B’nei Mitzvah Coordinator- all of this with tireless dedication.”
Her nephew, Luke Sundheim, confirmed her death on Facebook.
“My aunt Jacki was senselessly gunned down watching a parade that’s she’s been to her entire life,” Luke wrote. “If you knew Jacki you’d know that she was one of the kindest people you’d ever meet and she went out of her way to help anyone. Jacki had endless love for my Uncle Bruce and their daughter Leah.”
“The world lost a truly special person and I’m both furious and incredibly sad that I won’t be able to spend any more time with her,” he concluded. “I love America, but this cannot keep happening to innocent, loving people.”
On Tuesday, US President Biden honoured the victims of the mass shooting in Highland Park by issuing a proclamation for the flags to be lowered until Saturday.
“I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, July 9, 2022,” Mr said in a statement.
Jill and I are shocked by the senseless gun violence that has yet again brought grief to an American community this Independence Day. As always, we are grateful for the first responders and law enforcement on the scene.
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 4, 2022
I will not give up fighting the epidemic of gun violence.
TOWN’S MAYOR KNEW CRIMO WHEN HE WAS ‘A LITTLE BOY’
Earlier, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering told NBC she had known the shooting suspect as a child.
“I know him as somebody who was a Cub Scout when I was the Cub Scout leader,” the mayor told NBC. “He was just a little boy.”
The mayor said several of Crimo’s online postings “reflected a plan and a desire to commit carnage for a long time in advance.”
“And it’s one of those things where you step back and you say, ‘What happened? How did somebody become this angry, this hateful?’ To then take it out on innocent people who literally were just having a family day out,” Ms Rotering added.
Ms Rotering said the focus in the discussion about the shooting should be about “the fact that there are weapons of war on our streets, that people can legally obtain these and then take out dozens of people.”
Crimo, who performed under the stage name “Awake the Rapper,” had recently posted violent images, music lyrics and cartoons online, according to reports.
He released an EP earlier this year named Brainwashed and some of the songs were titled Dead Again and I am the Storm.
David Baum, a doctor who treated victims in the Highland Park shooting on Monday, described some of the horrific injuries he witnessed.
Dr Baum and his wife were at the parade, and their grandson was a participant. When their family ran away from the shooting, the doctor ran toward the scene.
Dr Baum said some of the dead were “blown up.”
“The horrific scene of some of the bodies is unspeakable for the average person. Having been a physician, I’ve seen things in ERs, you know, you do see lots of blood. But the bodies were literally — some of the bodies — it was an evisceration injury from the power of this gun and the bullets. There was another person who had an unspeakable head injury. Unspeakable,” he told CNN.
SUSPECTED SHOOTER ‘LONELY, QUIET KID’, SAYS UNCLE
An uncle of the suspect described his nephew as “a quiet kid” and said there were no warning signs he would carry out such an act.
“There were no signs that I saw that would make him do this. I have nothing bad to say about him,” Paul Crimo told CNN.
“He’s a quiet kid. He’s usually on his own. He’s a lonely, quiet person. He keeps everything to himself.
“We are good people here, and to have this is devastating. I’m so heartbroken for all the families who lost their lives.”
Crimo was arrested after a North Chicago police officer spotted a vehicle matching the description of the one Crimo was believed to be driving and attempted to pull him over.
Crimo instead pumped the gas and fled in a 2010 silver Honda Fit, before the brief chase came to a stop and he surrendered without incident, Highland Police Chief Lou Jogmen said at a press briefing.
Footage of the arrest shows Crimo’s car stopped at an intersection with dozens of police vehicles behind, before he exits the vehicle with his hands up and lays facedown on the roadway at the instruction of police.
“Everyone thought it was fireworks,” one parade-goer, identified only as Zoe, told CNN.
“My dad thought it was part of the show, and I’m like, ‘Dad, no … something is wrong.’ And I grabbed him. And I looked back at him, and then it was just a sea of panic, and people just falling and falling.”
As they ran, she said that some 20 feet behind her, “I saw a girl shot and killed … saw her die.”
Zoe said they first hid behind a dumpster before police pulled them into the basement of a sporting goods store with some other people, several of whom were injured, including a man who appeared to have been shot in the ear and a girl who was shot in the leg.
When they were finally able to leave, she told CNN, the parade route resembled “a battle zone. And it’s disgusting.”
My video.. I was at #Highland Park parade.. Terrified people fleeing July 4th parade when shooting started. pic.twitter.com/DSe0NJOuem
— Lynn Sweet (@lynnsweet) July 4, 2022
“This morning at 10:14, our community was terrorised by an act of violence that has shaken us to our core. Our hearts go out to the victims at this devastating time,” Highland Park’s mayor, Nancy Rotering, said.
“On a day that we came together to celebrate community and freedom, we are instead mourning the tragic loss of life and struggling with the terror that was brought up on us.”
US Representative Brad Schneider, who was at the event, said on Twitter that “a shooter struck in Highland Park during the Independence Day parade.”
“Hearing of loss of life and others injured. My condolences to the family and loved ones; my prayers for the injured and for my community,” he wrote, adding: “Enough is enough!” Firearms cause approximately 40,000 deaths a year in the United States, including suicides, according to the Gun Violence Archive website.
At least nine people have been shot during a 4th of July Parade at Highland Park in a mass shooting in Highland, Illinois. pic.twitter.com/0tdmErS41c
— 0 Days Since Last Mass Shooting (@0DSLMS) July 4, 2022
The debate over gun control – a deeply divisive issue in the country – was reignited by two massacres in May that saw 10 Black supermarket shoppers gunned down in upstate New York and 21 people, mostly young children, slain at a primary school in Texas.
US Congress passed the first significant bill on gun safety in decades in the wake of those killings.
US President Joe Biden signed it into law in late June, saying that while it falls short of what is really needed, it will still save lives.
More Coverage
Originally published as Robert Crimo, 21, charged over the Chicago parade shooting that left seven dead and 30 injured
Man allegedly steals $2.3m, buys 4 Mercedes
A man accused of identity theft had a penchant for luxury cars, allegedly buying four Mercedes and a Jaguar during his crime spree.
Read more
‘Proving everyone wrong’: Tammy Hembrow’s secret to success
Australia’s most famous influencer says she relishes being underestimated as she’s named one of the most influential people in the country.
Read more