Robert E. Crimo III, the 21-year-old accused of opening fire at a July 4 parade in suburban Illinois, made his first court appearance on Wednesday since the deadly mass shooting.
Seven people were killed and more than three dozen others were injured at the Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois, on Monday. Authorities believe that the attack was planned for several weeks.
Crimo appeared in court virtually from the Lake County Jail, wearing a black shirt. He did not enter a plea at Wednesday’s hearing. He was charged Tuesday with seven counts of first-degree murder; Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said that those were “just the first of many charges that will be filed,” with dozens more expected.
The State’s Attorney told the court on Wednesday that Crimo voluntarily confessed to authorities that he fired more than 80 shots from a commercial rooftop at the gathered parade crowd. Police found the shells of 83 bullets and three ammunition magazines on the rooftop he allegedly fired from.
Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said that Crimo “seriously contemplated” carrying out another attack in Madison, Wisconsin, but indicated that he did not follow through because he “didn’t put enough thought and research” into it. Covelli said that Crimo had another 60 rounds available at the time.
The assailant had ditched the rifle he used in Illinois, but he had another rifle and about 60 more rounds with him, according to Covelli. Police later found his phone in Middleton, Wisconsin, roughly 135 miles from Highland Park.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Ben Dillon said in court that the gunman “looked down his sights, aimed” and fired at people across the street. He left the shells of 83 bullets and three ammunition magazines on the rooftop.
Some of the wounded remained hospitalized in critical condition, Covelli said, and the death toll could still rise.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said he planned to bring attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm charges for each individual hurt.
“There will be many, many more charges coming,” he said at a news conference, estimating that those charges would be announced later this month.
On Tuesday, Thomas A. Durkin, a prominent Chicago-based lawyer, said he would represent Crimo and that he intended to enter a not guilty plea to all charges. But Durkin told the court Wednesday that he had a conflict of interest in taking the case. Crimo has been assigned a public defender.
Rinehart also left open the possibility of charging Crimo’s parents, telling reporters that he “doesn’t want to answer” that question right now as the investigation continues.
Steve Greenberg, the lawyer for Crimo’s parents, told The Associated Press that the parents aren’t concerned about being charged with anything related to their son’s case.
The attack happened less than three years after police went to Crimo’s home following a call from a family member who said he was threatening “to kill everyone” there. Covelli said police confiscated 16 knives, a dagger and a sword, but said there was no sign he had any guns at the time, in September 2019.
Police in April 2019 also responded to a reported suicide attempt by the suspect, Covelli said. Crimo legally purchased the rifle used in the attack in Illinois within the past year, Covelli said.
In all, police said, he purchased five firearms, which were recovered by officers at his father’s home.
Illinois state police, who issue gun owners’ licenses, said Crimo applied for a license in December 2019, when he was 19. His father sponsored his application.
At the time “there was insufficient basis to establish a clear and present danger” and deny the application, state police said in a statement.
The judge ordered Crimo to be held without bond. A preliminary hearing was set on July 28.