Highland Park 4th Of July Mass Shooting: 7 Dead, Suspect Arrested

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — A local man suspected of fatally shooting seven people and wounding dozens of others after opening fire from a rooftop on Highland Park's 4th of July parade is in custody, police said.

Robert "Bobby" Crimo III, 21, of Highwood, was arrested in Lake Forest by officers from multiple agencies following a brief pursuit, according to Highland Park Police Chief Lou Jogmen.

The chief said a North Chicago police officer spotted Crimo behind the wheel of a Honda that authorities had linked to him to as he drove north on Route 41 at Westleigh Road.

See Also: 7th Person Dies, Vigils Set For Victims Of Highland Park Parade Shooting

Crimo's arrest ended an hourslong manhunt that followed the deadliest mass shooting Illinois has seen in nearly three decades.

About 15 minutes into the city's Independence Day parade, authorities said someone opened fire with a high-powered rifle from a roof overlooking the parade route on Central Avenue.

Two volleys consisting of about 30 shots can be heard on witnesses videos. The massacre sent panicked crowds scrambling into downtown businesses.

Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek said five adults were pronounced dead at the scene, and another gunshot victim died after being taken to a hospital Monday. Tuesday afternoon, authorities confirmed that a seventh person had died.

Officials were working to notify family members, she said Monday afternoon. Those treated for gunshot wounds ranged in age from 8 to 85, according to authorities.

Mayor Nancy Rotering said it was the bloodiest day in the history of the city. In a statement, she thanked fellow mayors, including many from communities that have experienced such tragedies, for reaching out.

"Our community, like so many before us, is devastated. It’s impossible to imagine the pain of this kind of tragedy until you’re confronted with it," Rotering said.

"Gun violence — a mass shooting such as this casts a much wider net of agony than what the public is typically exposed to," the mayor said, "it’s a crisis that devastates entire families and communities in a single moment and we know will take time to heal."

All along the parade route, fleeing attendees left behind chairs, strollers, children's bicycles and patriotic decorations. The streets of downtown were left mostly deserted, but for law enforcement and media crews.

1st Victim Identified

Family members have also identified the first victim killed in the parade shooting.

ABC reported that family confirmed the death of Nicolas Toledo, 79, in the shooting. He had been visiting family from Mexico. So far, no other victims have been identified. An official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico also confirmed a Mexican national was killed in the Higland Park shooting. Relatives also said a child related to Toledo was shot but will survive.

7 Killed, Many Wounded

NorthShore Highland Park Hospital said it was treating 26 people for injuries, and another five were taken to NorthShore Evanston Hospital. Several people self-transported to the hospital, police said.

Hospital officials said patients at NorthShore Highland Park Hospital ranged in age from 8 to 85 years old. Out of 26 patients at that location, all but one suffered gunshot wounds.

A total of 19 Highland Park patients were treated and discharged, while others — including two patients who had to be transferred to Evanston Hospital and Comer Children's Hospital, respectively — suffered more serious injuries. Two patients remain hospitalized at Highland Park, officials said.

A family/friends reunification site has been established at the Highland Park Police Department 1677 Old Deerfield Road, Highland Park.

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Shooter Fired From Rooftop

A rifle was recovered from the scene of a shooting, police said during a news conference Monday afternoon. Anyone with information on the shooter was asked to contact the FBI tip line online or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).

Covelli said the shooter fired into the crowd from the rooftop of a nearby business. According to the task force spokesperson, the shooter gained access to the roof via a ladder attached to the building in an alley.

Covelli said the shooting appears to be "completely random" and would only describe the gun found as a "high-powered rifle."

However, a witness told NewsNation he saw the shooter firing from street level, in a "military shooting position" while using scope of a rifle, at one point reloading before firing again.

Covelli asked anyone or any business with surveillance cameras near downtown Highland Park to contact the Highland Park Police Department.

Highland Park Police Cmdr. Chris O'Neill also asked anyone who has photos or videos of the parade to contact police.

"We are asking anybody with any video surveillance ... please review your cell phone pictures and camera pictures in the area of Central and 2nd." Photos and videos can also be sent to the FBI, said O'Neill, who called the investigation "a very active apprehension effort."

O'Neill said evidence was found on the rooftop of a business near the parade route.

During a news conference Monday afternoon, Rotering said Highland Park has received an outpouring of support from federal, state and county agencies. The FBI and state police are also working with Highland Park police, she said.

Of the six people who were killed, the mayor said, "We are grieving for them and their families, members of our community who came out to celebrate together, and instead faced this terror."

Rotering urged residents to stay indoors "and be on high alert, but remain calm." She also told residents to contact their loved ones to make sure they are safe.

Monday afternoon, a Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) SWAT team could be seen checking multiple buildings on Green Bay Road as multiple choppers circled the scene.

Shots were fired about 15 minutes after the parade began, sending crowds scattering, according to multiple reports. The parade starts at the intersection of Laurel and St. Johns Avenues and heads north on St. Johns Avenue, then turns west on Central Avenue and continues to Sunset Woods Park. Thousands of people typically attend the event.

The shooting happened near Central Avenue and 2nd Street.

Congressman Brad Schneider (D-10th) said via Twitter that he was "hearing of loss of life and others injured," offering condolences and pledging "to do everything I can to make our children, our towns, our nation safer."

Schneider said he and his campaign team were gathering at the start of the parade route when the shooting began and are "safe and secure."

"I want to thank our first responders for their bravery and extraordinary efforts today. Our police and firefighters saved countless lives with their responses — running into danger and taking immediate action to save others," Rotering said. "We are grateful for these selfless acts. We know there were members of our community who rendered aid and assistance as well, and we thank each and every one of you for those efforts. "

July 4 Events Canceled, Beaches Closed

Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Winnetka, Lake Forest, Deerfield, Glenview, Glencoe, Skokie, Northbrook and Evanston have also canceled their Fourth of July events in response to the shooting. Metra service to the Highland Park area was also halted.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he and his staff "are closely monitoring the situation in Highland Park." Pritzker reportedly left a parade in Hyde Park after news of the shooting broke, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Evanston beaches are closed for the rest of the day Monday, as are facilities in Wilmette.

"Due to an active shooter situation, we have closed all facilities until further notice," Wilmette officials said. "Gillson Beach and Centennial Aquatic Center are being evacuated per police directive."

In Lake Bluff, Sunrise Park and Beach is closed for the day, and the park district's "Band at the Beach" concert is canceled.

Kenilworth Beach is also closed due to the shooting, which brought "unthinkable violence to our area," officials said. "We feel it is best to avoid permitting large gatherings until the perpetrator(s) are captured."

Asked about safety at other July 4 events, Covelli said it is up to individual communities to decide whether to hold events.

"Could this happen again?" Covelli said. "We don’t know what (the gunman's) intentions are."

Biden, Pritzker Respond

President Joe Biden reacted to the shooting Monday afternoon, issuing a statement that he has "surged federal law enforcement" to find the shooter, and touting recently passed bipartisan gun reform legislation but saying more must be done "fighting the epidemic of gun violence."

Biden's statement:

Jill and I are shocked by the senseless gun violence that has yet again brought grief to an American community on this Independence Day. As always, we are grateful for the first responders and law enforcement on the scene. I have spoken to Governor Pritzker and Mayor Rotering, and have offered the full support of the Federal government to their communities. I also surged Federal law enforcement to assist in the urgent search for the shooter, who remains at large at this time. Members of the community should follow guidance from leadership on the ground, and I will monitor closely as we learn more about those whose lives have been lost and pray for those who are in the hospital with grievous injuries.

Just before 2 p.m., Illinois' governor issued a statement reacting to the parade shooting.

"Today, I ask all Illinoisans to pray for the families who have been devastated by the evil unleashed this morning in Highland Park, for those who have lost loved ones and for those who have been injured," Pritzker said, also praising the first responders "who are actively working to bring the suspect into custody, and whose bravery undoubtedly saved innocent lives on the scene."

Pritzker's statement continued:

There are no words for the kind of monster who lies in wait and fires into a crowd of families with children celebrating a holiday with their community. There are no words for the kind of evil that robs our neighbors of their hopes, their dreams, their futures. There are no words I can offer to lift the pain of those they leave behind. Please know that our state grieves with you, that MK and I grieve with you.

He also called for action, not just prayers.

"Grief will not bring the victims back, and prayers alone will not put a stop to the terror of rampant gun violence in our country," Pritzker said. "I will stand firm with Illinoisans and Americans: we must — and we will — end this plague of gun violence."

Later, Pritzker hosted a news conference to again address the shooting, starting by "honoring the heroic actions of law enforcement who ran toward the gunshots they heard today," saying lives were saved because of the actions of Highland Park police.

Pritzker also thanked Illinois State Police for coordinating with Highland Park Police, the major crimes task force, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

"To the residents of Highland Park and surrounding communities: This murderer will be brought to justice," Pritzker said. "But until that happens, please follow instructions from local authorities on how best to keep you and your family safe. And please know that every resource at the state’s disposal will be available to you in the days and weeks ahead as you recover from this horrific tragedy."

The governor said he spoke with Biden, who "pledged all support the White House can provide." Pritzker added, "The President agrees with me: This madness must stop."

Pritzker spoke about the families who went to celebrate our nation's independence, only to lose loved ones.

"There are no words for the kind of evil that shows up at a public celebration of freedom, hides on a roof and shoots innocent people with an assault rifle," he said. "There are no words I can offer to lessen the pain of those families who will no longer associate the 4th of July with celebration, but instead with grief. Please know that our state grieves with you, that MK and I and our family grieve with you.

"It is devastating that a celebration of America was ripped apart by our uniquely American plague. A day dedicated to freedom has put into stark relief the one freedom we as a nation refuse to uphold – the freedom of our fellow citizens to live without the daily fear of gun violence."

Pritzker added, "There are going to be people who say that today is not the day, that now is not the time, to talk about guns. I’m telling you there is no better day and no better time than right here and right now ... So yes, I’m angry. We as a nation deserve better. May the memory of those we lost today be a blessing – and a call to action."