Bobby Crimo Charged With 7 Counts Of Murder In Highland Park Shooting

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Prosecutors charged the man accused of shooting dozens of people at Highland Park's 4th of July parade with seven counts of first-degree murder, promising further charges to follow.

Seven people died and nearly 40 were wounded in the shooting, which shattered the close-knit North Shore community's first Independence Day parade in three years and led to the cancellation of celebrations across the North Shore.

"Hundreds, if not thousands will be psychologically scarred by yesterday's events," Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said. "These individuals are community and Lake County will never be the same."

Rinehart said prosecutors intended to ask a judge to order 21-year-old Highwood resident Robert "Bobby" Crimo III held without bond in connection with the seven murder charges, a conviction for which would trigger a mandatory life sentence.

"We anticipate dozens of more charges centering around each of the victims, psychological victims, physical victims, attempt murder charges aggravated discharge charges, aggravated battery charges, there will be dozens or more charges against Mr. Crimo," said Rinehart, a Highland Park resident who operated out of an office in Highwood as a criminal defense attorney before his election.

"We should also ban assault weapons in Illinois and beyond," the prosecutor said. "The assault weapons ban was implemented in 1994, with bipartisan support, with the support of law enforcement. It lasted for 10 years, and studies have shown that mass shootings like what happened yesterday went down during those 10 years."

Rinehart also advocated for more awareness and education about the state's "red flag" law, also known as the Illinois firearm restraining order, that allows for the temporary removal of guns and prevents the purchase of new weapons.

The state's attorney was asked whether Crimo should have been disqualified from obtaining a Firearm Owners Identification card, or FOID, or whether his parents sponsored his acquisition of a firearm.

"I am absolutely not going to get into that that level of detail on the investigation in our process," Rinehart said.

Authorities have said Crimo legally purchased five guns, including at least two rifles, after police were told he tried to kill himself and, in a later incident, had a collection of knives confiscated by police after he was reported to have made threats.

Crimo's parents have retained attorney Steve Greenberg to represent them. Ahead of the announcement of the initial charges, Greenberg shared a statement on their behalf and said they asked that their privacy be respected.

“We are all mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers," it said, "and this is a terrible tragedy for many families, the victims, the paradegoers, the community, and our own. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to everybody."

Greenberg, best known for representing R. Kelly, said Crimo is being represented by defense attorneys Tom Durkin and Josh Herman.

"The last approximately 36 hours have been a lesson in the duality of humanity," Highland Park Police Chief Lou Jogmen told reporters Tuesday.

"While the actions that brought us all together expose the cruelty and callousness that one person could show to people who did not know, taking their lives," Jogmen said, "the unwavering commitment of our Highland Park team the drive and determination of those who assisted us in making this arrest, and the outpouring of love and support from the community and from people across the nation and the globe, have shown us the best in humanity."

Starting Wednesday, the FBI victim's response team will work with local, state and federal aid groups to staff a family assistance center to offer trauma counseling, government assistance and financial assistance, if necessary, for those affected by the shooting.

The center will open at noon at Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Ave., Highland Park, according to Chris Covelli, spokesperson for the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force.

Read more:

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• Highland Park Shooter Considered Targeting Wisconsin Event: Police