HIghland Park Mass Shooting Suspect Faces Life Behind Bars Wednesday

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The man who pleaded guilty to killing seven people and injuring almost 50 more at a 2022 Independence Day parade in Highland Park is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday.

Robert E. Crimo III, 23, shocked the court when he switched his not guilty plea to a guilty plea last month at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan. Prosecutors initially charged him with 21 counts of first-degree murder — three counts for each person killed — as well as 48 counts of attempted murder. Prosecutors dropped the less serious 48 counts of aggravated battery before jury selection last week.

Crimo is certain to spend the rest of his life behind bars. Each count of first-degree murder carries a natural life prison sentence.

Dozens of people were wounded in the shooting, ranging in age from their 80s down to an 8-year-old boy who was left partially paralyzed.

Witnesses described confusion as the shots began, followed by panic as families fled the downtown parade route, leaving behind lawn chairs and strollers to find safety inside nearby businesses or homes.

Many family members and survivors of the mass shooting have filed lawsuits against Smith & Wesson, alleging the gun maker continued to market and sell its gun, pushing it to teenagers despite

its use in four of the most tragic mass shootings over the last decade in Aurora, CO, San Bernardino, CA, Parkland, FL and Poway, CA.

On April 1, an Illinois court ruled the wrongful death lawsuits which created the "M&P 15" AR-15-style weapon used in the shooting, would proceed to trial. The court also allowed claims against BudsGunShop.com and Red Dot Arms, the gun dealers who ultimately sold the gun to shooter Robert Crimo, to go forward.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.