'The Journey Will Not End For Many': Rinehart Responds To Parade Shooter's Guilty Plea

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Nearly three years after seven people died and dozens more were wounded in a hail of bullets during Highland Park's Independence Day Parade, Robert E. Crimo III entered a guilty plea, just moments before opening statements were to begin in his trial.

Crimo had been indicted on 117 felony counts, including 21 counts of first-degree murder. Over the summer, he had been expected to enter a plea of guilty to one count for each of the 55 victims named in his indictment, but backed out of the agreement at the last minute.

Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Highland Park) noted that from the rooftop of a nearby building, Crimo "fired 83 shots in less than a minute – murdering seven people, wounding 48 others, and traumatizing the entire community."

Monday morning, he pleaded guilty to the 21 counts of murder and 48 counts of attempted first-degree murder.

On Monday afternoon, Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart reacted to Crimo's latest change of heart after his guilty plea put a stop to the trial. In a statement in which he never mentioned the shooter's name, Rinehart said, "Today is about the victims and survivors of the Highland Park July 4 Parade Shooting."

He named each person killed on July 4, 2022:

• Katie Goldstein
• Irina McCarthy
• Kevin McCarthy
• Stephen Strauss
• Jackie Sundeim
• Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza
• Eduardo Uvaldo

He also spoke of the 48 people who were wounded — "who bled, who cried, who may never heal."

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"Our community may never heal from the defendant’s calculated and heinous actions that destroyed so many lives," Rinehart said. "Today is also about the hundreds who still remember and feel the trauma from that awful day – a day that should have been about celebration and recovering from the pandemic. Instead, it turned into a day of death and anguish for so many."

Rinehart said prosecutors "were 1000 percent ready for trial and to prove him guilty," and noted that Crimo did not receive a plea agreement.

"This was not a negotiation. This was not a deal," the state's attorney said. "He made a free decision to plead guilty to every count that was about to be presented to a jury. He received nothing in exchange."

Rinehart also spoke of the hard work of police, prosecutors and investigators since 2022.

"We have been working for years to prepare our evidence that includes DNA testing, fingerprint identification, firearm records, video evidence, identification evidence that put him in the alley walking up to the roof, on the roof, and descending from the roof at the time of the shooting," he said in the statement. "We also were prepared to present his voluntary confession that he made that day to law enforcement."

Looking back on the day of the shooting, Rinehart acknowledged those who responded — from police to paramedics to civilians:

I want to acknowledge the heroes that day who ran toward the gunfire. First responders, police, EMTs, fire department professionals, and civilians all helped their friends and neighbors without hesitating, without thinking of themselves.

Every member of law enforcement, the City of Highland Park, the FBI, the Illinois State Police, Lake County, and this office has risen to every moment challenge since 10:14AM July 4, 20222.

Justice in the legal system does not descend upon a case, it is earned. It comes from the bravery of every victim and surviving family member who was going to come forward today AND will come forward during sentencing.

Justice comes from the hours of victim support that Highland Park and our federal partners provided

Justice comes from the victim support professionals and administrative support that hundreds of dedicated employees have provided to those in need.

Justice comes from the tireless law enforcement professionals who never stopped to make sure that the investigation was complete.

And justice comes from the amazing men and women in this office that were ready every step of the way.

Rinehart also noted the resources that are available to those affected by the shooting, saying, "The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office continues to express its condolences to all who lost a loved one and to all who were hurt physically and psychologically. Our Victim Services Division remains dedicated to uplifting victims, connecting them to resources, and helping them navigate the judicial process. Our team is available, ready, and willing to accompany victims through each step as we prepare for sentencing. Our team STILL stands with you."

The City of Highland Park also offers resources for community members.

Crimo will be sentenced April 23. Each count of first-degree murder carries a sentence of natural life in prison.

"The journey will not end for many. We will move to sentencing and continue support for those in need," Rinehart said.

In a statement, Schneider said he was "relieved" by the guilty plea, "which will bring at least some sense of closure for the families of the murdered and wounded, and for our communit."

Schneider said that Crimo "deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison, adding, "We will never forget the lives stolen on that terrible day and will forever remember their vibrant lives and beautiful spirits. Nor will we leave behind those who are still healing – physically and emotionally. Highland Park Strong, forever."

More coverage of the Highland Park July 4 Parade Shooting:

• 'Like Family': Bobby Crimo Writes Judge Asking Permission To Phone Friend, Former Neighbor
• Highland Park Shooting Memorial Committee Seeks More Public Feedback On Possible Locations
• Highland Park Reclaims July 4 Parade Route A Year After Mass Shooting
• Parents Of Couple Slain In Highland Park Shooting Fight Over Toddler's Custody
• Police Drone Could've Stopped Highland Park Shooting, Politicians Say