Posted by 
CHICAGO (CBS) — First-degree murder charges have been filed against Robert “Bobby” Crimo III, the accused gunman in Monday’s deadly mass shooting at the July 4th parade in Highland Park.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said Crimo is charged with seven counts of first-degree murder, one for each of the seven people were killed in what Rinehart described as a “premeditated and calculated attack.”
Rinehart said prosecutors will ask a judge to order Crimo held without bail when he makes his first court appearance on Wednesday.
“These are just the first of many charges that will be filed,” Rinehart said. Prosecutors expect to file dozens more charges, including aggravated battery, for each of the surviving victims. At least 38 people were wounded in the shooting.
Among those who were killed in the attack were 64-year-old Katherine Goldstein, of Highland Park; 35-year-old Irina McCarthy, of Highland Park; 37-year-old Kevin McCarthy, of Highland Park; 63-year-old Jacquelyn Sundheim, of Highland Park; 88-year-old Stephen Straus, of Highland Park; and 78-year-old Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, of Morelos, Mexico.
“All of the people who died steps from here lost their freedom, all of it, every ounce of freedom that they had; the freedom to love, the freedom to learn, and the freedom to live a full life,” Rinehart said.
Crimo faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted.
While Crimo is not facing any federal charges, U.S. Attorney John Lausch suggested federal charges might be a possibility down the line.
“These state murder charges are appropriate at this time. We will continue to deploy our federal resources in collaboration with these state and local partners to ensure that individuals who commit horrific acts of violence like this using firearms are held accountable,” he said.
Crimo has retained prominent Chicago defense attorney Tom Durkin, who said he tried to have an attorney visit Crimo on Monday night, but was not permitted to do so.
“I was just retained about two hours ago although the family did contact me yesterday. I don’t know much more than what’s in the public domain and have only spoken to my client [Crimo] for about 10 minutes by phone. So I’m really not in the position to make any statements and I might make a statement after the arraignment tomorrow,” Durkin told CBS 2.
Meantime, Crimo’s parents have retained their own attorney, Steve Greenberg, who issued the following statement on their behalf:
“We are all mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, 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.”
Authorities in Highland Park have said Crimo planned the attack for weeks, dressed as a woman to hide his tattoos and blend in with the crowd, and drove up to Wisconsin before being arrested.
Police confirmed Tuesday afternoon a seventh victim has died as a result of injuries sustained from the mass shooting. At least 38 people were injured.
A high-ranking law enforcement source with direct knowledge of the investigation released an image Crimo dressed in women’s clothing. Source tells CBS 2 the image was captured Monday after the shooting.
At an afternoon news conference, Christopher Covelli of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force said Crimo came to the attention of police back in April of 2018 for a suicide attempt.
“This was a delayed report, so Highland Park still responded to the residents a week later spoke with Crimo spoke with Crimo’s parents and the matter was being handled by mental health professionals at that time. There was no law enforcement action to be taken,” Covelli said.
Another incident took place in 2019, when a family member said Crimo was exhibiting concerning behavior.
“Crimo said he was going to kill everyone and Crimo had a collection of knives. The police responded to his residence. The police removed 16 knives, a dagger and a sword from Crimo’s home. At that time, there was no probable cause to arrest. There were no complaints that were assigned by any of the victims,” Covelli said.
He added that after that, the department notified the Illinois State Police of the incident. Covelli elaborated on why Crimo wasn’t taken into custody back in 2019.
“Police can’t make an arrest unless there is probable cause to make an arrest or somebody is willing to sign complaints regarding the absence of those things. The police don’t have power to detain somebody,” Covelli said. “Now, if there is an issue where there is the necessity to involuntarily commit somebody to the hospital, that’s an option. But that wasn’t an option at that time that it didn’t fall in that category.”
Covelli said they want to speak to a female witness seen on video.
“Based on video surveillance recovered by our investigators were very certain that there was a female witness who saw Crimo drop an object inside of a red blanket behind Ross (Central Cosmetics) at 625 Central Avenue immediately following the shooting. We’ve not been able to identify this witness yet but we’re asking if you are the witness and you are hearing this please call 800-Call-FBI. Investigators really would like to speak to you about this,” Covelli said.
Covelli has said so far, a motive hasn’t been provided. Crimo was arrested around 6:30 p.m. Monday, more than eight hours after the shooting, following a chase in the north suburbs.
Police recovered a high-powered rifle from the roof of a business from where Crimo opened fire, and Covelli said he was in possession of another rifle when he was stopped and apprehended, and authorities retrieved several other firearms from his home in Highwood. All of those guns were purchased legally, according to Covelli.
Covelli said Crimo was dressed in women’s clothing at the time of the attack.
“Investigators do believe he did this to conceal his facial tattoos and his identity and help them during the escape with the other people who were fleeing the chaos,” Covelli said.
Covelli also described the power of the weapon used in the attack.
“It was a high powered rifle that was used it was shot high velocity rounds to be similar to an AR 15,” Covelli said.
He added that the department is in the process of putting together a timeline of the events and asked that anyone with any video they may have to come forward, because it could help in the investigation.
“One of the assets that we have is members of the community. If you have any video of this individual that is walking toward the parade at the parade, potentially on the roof to please call 1-800-Call-FBI (225-5324.)
Covelli said “during the attack, more than 70 rounds from this rifle (were fired) into the crowd of innocent people.”
He added that Crimo later went to his mother’s home after the mass shooting.
“He walked to his mother’s home who lived in the area and he blended right in with everybody else as they were running around almost as he was an innocent spectator as well,” Covelli added.
As far as the way Crimo was dressed, Covelli said it was to not only disguise himself, but to blend in a large gathering of people.
“He wore it as a way to conceal himself,” Covelli said, who noted that the shooting appears to be “completely random.”
“He was seen on camera in women’s clothes. Video cameras played a tremendous role in how we were able to identify him,” Covelli said.
When asked whether the shooting was inspired by hatred, Covelli said “we have no information to suggest at this point it was racially motivated, motivated by religion or any other protected status.”
Covelli told CBS 2 Investigator Megan Hickey that Crimo got his FOID card in 2020, which would have made him 18 or 19, as early as he could get it. He said there are no indications that a second person was involved.
He added that the department has viewed a number of videos put out by the suspect prior to the mass shooting and that they’ll be part of the investigation.
Covelli said the weapons were purchased locally, within the Chicagoland area.
Mayor Rotering said several vigils and prayer services are taking place throughout the community to help people grieve and process the magnitude of the event. They include:
- Trinity Grace Church (Highland Park) along with Christ Church will hold a community prayer gathering at Trinity Grace Church, located at 1506 Half Day Road at 3:00 p.m.
- Tuesday evening, there will be an interfaith prayer vigil at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 330 Laurel Ave at 7:00 p.m.
- Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Avenue, is hosting crisis counseling until 2:00 p.m.
- A family assistance center opens Wednesday, July 6, to provide support services and crisis assistance. The hours and location are pending. Those wanting more information can visit the City of Highland Park website as details become available.
“Anyone who is a victim of the incident and is in need of support can call 800 Call FBI,” Rotering said.
The mayor thanked people who came out to help her city.
“I know what a generous community we are a part of we are overwhelmed with the amount of support offered not only from those parents, but the surrounding region and throughout the nation. Thank you,” Rotering said.
She added that people should be alert to scams that claim help for victims of the Highland Park mass shooting. Rotering said coming soon, information will be on the city’s website as to where people can donate.
Covelli said despite the capture of a suspect, the investigation is far from over.
“We’re going to reach out to everybody we possibly can that has information firsthand information about him, whether that’s family members, teachers, friends, whoever it is that has information, but it does take time,” Covelli said, adding that it’ll include people who may have crossed paths with Crimo years ago.
“Who may know him, who knew him in the past. That is something that taskforce investigators are working on. They’ve interviewed a number of people thus far. But please keep in mind, we’re 24 hours in and there’s a lot of work to be done here. We’re not done.”
Beginning on Wednesday, the FBI’s victims service response team will work with local, state, and federal aid groups to staff a family assistance center, where victims and their families will be able to get counseling, financial aid, and other assistance to help them recover from the shooting. It will be located at Highland Park High School, and will be open from noon until 9 p.m. Wednesday, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
Source: ChicagoCBS
