Alleged shooter in Highland Park July 4 parade attack charged with 7 counts of murder in ‘premeditated and calculated attack’
CHICAGO — Prosecutors on Tuesday filed murder charges against the man suspected of firing upon crowds gathered for a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park on Monday morning, killing at least seven people and injuring more than 30.
Robert E. “Bobby” Crimo III, 21, is charged with seven counts of first-degree murder in what Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart called a “premeditated and calculated attack.” Crimo was apprehended late Monday afternoon following an hourslong search involving more than 100 law enforcement agencies.
Rinehart said he anticipates dozens more charges as the investigation continues.
Crimo’s attorney Thomas Durkin declined to comment Tuesday, citing the early stage in the proceedings and noting that he has had limited contact with his client.
Details about the attack and the background of the alleged shooter emerged throughout Tuesday, as the Highland Park community continued grieving the losses. Authorities said that in 2019 police were called to Crimo’s home after he threatened to “kill everyone,” but he wasn’t arrested.
Crimo planned the parade attack for weeks, police and prosecutors allege, then climbed a fire escape ladder to the roof of a building and fired as the Independence Day parade was in full swing. He dressed as a woman in order to evade detection, according to Chris Covelli, a spokesman with the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.
After firing dozens of shots, Crimo exited the roof, dropped the rifle,
