WAUKEGAN, Ill. — A suburban Chicago man who carried out a deadly shooting during a Fourth of July parade last year, killing seven and injuring multiple others, received multiple life sentences on Thursday, ensuring he will spend the rest of his life in prison without parole.
Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti issued seven consecutive life sentences to 24-year-old Robert E. Crimo III for his actions during the 2022 Independence Day celebration. Crimo, who pleaded guilty to 21 counts of first-degree murder and 48 counts of attempted murder, exhibited no remorse as prosecutors detailed his calculated assault that lasted less than a minute but left a permanent scar on the community.
In an emotional and oftentimes tear-filled courtroom, family members and survivors of the attack provided powerful testimonies about the lasting impact of that tragic day. An 8-year-old boy, one of the youngest victims, now faces a lifetime of challenges, paralyzed from the waist down due to his injuries.
Prosecutors described Crimo’s actions as cold and premeditated, recounting how he fired 83 shots into a crowd of unsuspecting parade-goers within a mere 40 seconds. Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart emphasized the heinous nature of the plan, which aimed to “end the happiness” witnessed during the festive occasion.
As the sentencing was carried out, defense counsel Gregory Ticsay remarked that Crimo had been aware of the likely life sentence he faced and chose to plead guilty to spare the community a prolonged trial. Nonetheless, his absence from the courtroom during the sentencing was noted as unusual but constitutionally permissible. Typically, defendants have an opportunity to speak or express remorse before sentencing, a path Crimo declined to follow.
Heart-wrenching accounts from those affected painted a vivid picture of the day’s events and their aftermath. One survivor, Erica Weeder, shared the trauma of being incapacitated during the attack, her and her husband unable to do anything but watch the chaos unfold around them.
The attack not only shattered the physical well-being of dozens but also deeply affected the communal and emotional landscape of Highland Park, a suburb with about 30,000 residents. Following the incident, many in the community now avoid public gatherings, haunted by the memories of that day.
During the trial preparations, evidence including Crimo’s videotaped confession was presented by the prosecution. In his confession, Crimo described how a technical issue with his gun almost led him to abandon his plan, which he chillingly resumed after resolving the malfunction. His demeanor during the confession, described as detached and even mocking at times, further underscored his disconnect from the gravity of his actions.
Judge Rossetti, condemning Crimo’s irredeemable actions, declared him “irretrievably depraved” and beyond any potential for rehabilitation. Her ruling not only addressed the severity of the crimes but also underscored a commitment to justice for the victims and their families.
Crimo’s father, Robert Crimo Jr., who faced legal consequences related to his son’s access to firearms, had briefly been jailed. This aspect of the case highlighted concerns regarding firearm accessibility and parental responsibility.
As the community continues to recover from the traumatic events, the sentencing marks a somber but necessary step towards closure for many, though the lingering effects of that day will continue to resonate in the lives of all who were present.