Robert Crimo III, the individual accused of perpetrating a mass shooting during a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, is scheduled to appear in court for a potential change of plea. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office disclosed that Crimo faces a litany of charges, including 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder, and 48 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm.
The tragic incident unfolded during the Independence Day parade in Highland Park, where Crimo allegedly fired over 70 rounds from a high-powered rifle, resulting in the death of seven individuals and injuring dozens more. The shooter, then 21 years old, attempted to conceal his identity by dressing in women’s clothing and using makeup to obscure his tattoos.
Following the shooting, Crimo fled the scene and was later apprehended after a brief car chase. Authorities revealed that the victims of the attack included individuals over the age of 60, with seven fatalities and 38 injuries, including a young boy who was paralyzed.
Despite prior encounters with law enforcement related to concerning behavior and threats, Crimo legally purchased multiple firearms, including the weapon used in the attack. His father, Robert Crimo Jr., pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless conduct for facilitating his son's acquisition of a firearm owner's identification card.
Before the shooting, Crimo had a presence on music streaming platforms under the pseudonym Awake the Rapper, where he posted music and videos featuring violent imagery. The incident prompted legislative action in Illinois, culminating in a ban on assault-style rifles and high-capacity magazines, with existing rifle owners required to register their firearms.
The legal proceedings surrounding the Highland Park shooting have garnered significant attention, underscoring the need for comprehensive measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
