Latest news with #CrimoIII
BBC News
24-04-2025
- BBC News
Highland Park shooting: Gunman sentenced to life in prison
The gunman who killed seven people at a 2022 Independence Day parade in a Chicago suburb was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Crimo III, 23, pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder charges in March. After listening to witness testimony over two days, Judge Victoria Rossetti gave him seven back-to-back life sentences for each murder victim plus 50 years for attempted murder. Crimo opened fire on crowds celebrating the Fourth of July in Highland Park, a city 30 miles (50 kilometres) north of victims of the shooting ranged from an eight year old boy, paralysed from the waist down, to a young couple and an 88 year old man who were killed. Video footage captured parade performers and attendees scrambling for then fled the scene, leaving his semiautomatic rifle a manhunt, authorities apprehended him in the neighbouring state of Wisconsin the same Wednesday, survivors of the mass shooting told their stories in emotional testimony. Though Crimo did not appear in court, many witnesses addressed him directly, calling him "cowardly" and a "monster".Those killed in the shooting were Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; Stephen Straus, 88; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; and married couple Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Irina McCarthy, than 40 others were initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, but changed his plea in father, Robert Crimo Jr., was convicted in 2023 after pleading guilty to misdemeanour counts of reckless conduct for helping his son acquire a firearms ownership identification card. He served about one month in a county jail, winning early release from his 60-day sentence with good behaviour.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Illinois court rules lawsuit against maker of gun used in Highland Park mass shooting can proceed
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — An Illinois court ruled Tuesday that a lawsuit filed against the manufacturer of the gun used in the 2022 Highland Park Fourth of July parade shooting can go to trial. The lawsuit was filed in June of 2024 on behalf of the family of Eduardo Uvaldo, who was one of seven people killed in the mass shooting, as well as a group of survivors and families of children who were also present. More Coverage: Highland Park Parade Shooting The lawsuit alleges that gun maker Smith & Wesson marketed and sold its M&P 15 rifle to teenagers, despite its use in previous mass shootings over the last decade, knowing that the marketing promoted and sold an image that catered to and attracted high-risk young men. The lawsuit further claims that Smith & Wesson's marketing practices 'constituted a negligent entrustment and violated an Illinois state consumer protection law in its promotion of the lethal and criminal use of the weapon.' Last month, just moments before opening statements in his trial were set to begin, 24-year-old Robert Crimo III pleaded guilty to killing seven people and injuring dozens more when he opened fire during the Independence Day parade in Highland Park. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines The last-minute plea halted a trial that was expected to last about a month, where testimony from survivors and police was also expected. Prior to the trial, prosecutors had submitted thousands of pages of evidence and hours of a videotaped interrogation during which police claim Crimo confessed to the shooting. Additionally, the court decided Tuesday that claims against gun sellers Bud's Gun Shop and Red Dot Arms could go forward. The lawsuit alleges both shops sold a weapon to someone they knew was not allowed to have it. Mom of Highland Park shooter asserts son's innocence after courtroom outburst In 2019, at age 19, Crimo III was only allowed to apply for a gun license with the sponsorship of a parent or guardian. His father agreed, despite the fact that a relative had previously reported to authorities that Crimo III had a collection of knives and had previously threatened to 'kill everyone.' Crimo's father, Robert Crimo Jr., a one-time mayoral candidate, later faced charges in connection with how his son obtained the gun license. He eventually pleaded guilty to reckless conduct in 2023 for sponsoring his son's gun application and served a 60-day jail sentence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
05-03-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Highland Park sets sensitive course in wake of parade shooting plea: ‘I don't want us to be a town marked by tragedy'
Robert Crimo III's guilty plea earlier this week in Highland Park's Independence Day parade shooting prompted a variety of reactions in the area and left city officials navigating a tangled web of media attention and the needs of residents still struggling with the trauma of the shooting. Crimo pleaded guilty to opening fire on spectators at the 2022 Highland Park Fourth of July parade, killing seven people and wounding dozens more. His charges include 21 counts of first-degree murder, and 48 counts of attempted murder. The defendant has 30 days if he wants to withdraw his plea, though the court would have to find that he had a substantive reason for doing so. If the plea holds, he will be sentenced on April 23. Under state law, anyone found guilty of committing two or more murders receives an automatic life sentence in prison with no possibility for parole. The victims and their families will have a chance to make statements at the sentencing hearing. Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, who was in court, said the guilty plea was the best outcome for victims and their families, calling it '1,000%' better than a trial. 'I think, at this moment, we're all just sort of surprised and relieved that they don't have to experience the unbelievable pain of reliving this experience for the next three to five weeks,' she said. The legal battles are far from over however. Several victims and their families remain in civil litigation related to the shooting, including against Crimo III, his father, gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson and the gun shops that helped Crimo III get his weapons. Several lawsuits also have been filed against the Illinois State Police for approving Crimo's Firearm Owner's Identification card application despite concerns he was a danger to public safety. In a news release, the city and Rotering said the plea was an 'important step toward justice, but does not erase the pain,' and thanked Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart and his team for their work, along with the community's first responders, law enforcement officials and hospital personnel. While there are 'milestones ahead,' the city is 'confident in our legal system,' it said. 'Our thoughts and hearts remain with the families whose loved ones were senselessly taken, those who were injured, and everyone whose lives were forever changed by this horrific act,' the release said. 'We continue to stand together and remain committed to supporting the victims, their families, and our entire community as we move forward together as one Highland Park.' News of Crimo's guilty plea was welcomed by many in the community. At Harper + Ash home goods store, a stack of pamphlets about Cooper Roberts, a young boy severely wounded in the shooting, sit at the checkout counter. Store manager Lori Isaacs, 63, said she was glad to hear Crimo had pleaded guilty. 'I don't know what else he would plead besides insanity,' she said. A few doors down, Mallory Kirsch, who works at Sprout Kids children's store, was 'shocked' to hear that Crimo had a change of heart. Kirsch said the shooting didn't just shatter the sense of safety and security locally. It has given the city an unwanted legacy. 'I hate that,' she said. 'I don't want us to be a town marked by tragedy.' Liz Turnipseed, 43, was one of the dozens wounded in the shooting. She said she and her husband previously told their young daughter that she was going to talk about 'the bad man who hurt Mommy' in court. Turnipseed, who was wounded in the pelvis and the leg, said she burst out crying Monday morning when she heard about the plea. 'We'd been preparing and I was ready to get up there and tell my story,' she said. 'It's been a rollercoaster of emotions all day.' Turnipseed plans to give a victim impact statement at the April sentencing, but she said she has taken a form of closure from Crimo's decision to plead guilty. 'I can finally, truly tell my daughter he's going to prison and he's never going to leave,' she said. Beyond a handful of short news releases, city officials and staff have declined any media interviews since the news of Crimo's guilty plea, including any talk about plans for a future permanent memorial. According to Highland Park staff, that's been a purposeful attempt to try and be sensitive to a traumatized community. The city has made several efforts to be extra mindful, drawing input from the Department of Justice Office of Victims of Crime. That includes the city's Independence Day plans for this year, which were announced in February. According to a release, the city will not be organizing any evening drone or fireworks show, pointing to concerns over, 'community trauma, sustainability concerns and pet needs.' 'As Independence Day events have evolved over the past two years, the City and Park District have applied a trauma-informed approach with guidance from the Department of Justice Office of Victims of Crime and community-based mental health clinicians,' the release said. 'The approach reflects a commitment to building community resiliency in reclaiming Highland Park's Independence Day traditions while continuing to provide compassionate support.' What next year will hold will be up to the community. Last month, Rotering said several council members wanted to explore ways to bring back an evening event in the future, and the city will collect community feedback and present ideas during the 2026 planning process. This year's celebrations will start on July 3 with family-friendly festivities running from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Preserve of Highland Park. The Thursday evening festival will include food trucks, music, games and various attractions. On July 4, a remembrance will be held at 9 a.m. for 'reflection and support.' The temporary memorial at the Rose Garden will continue to be open to the public. The city advised any visitors concerned over re-traumatization from patriotic décor, floats and the like related to the parade itself should avoid visiting the memorial on July 4 between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The city's 'Dream Team'-themed parade, including entertainment coordinated by the Park District, will start at 11 a.m. on July 4 beginning at First Street and Laurel Avenue and going through the downtown to Sunset Woods Park. The theme is 'a celebration of all that brings us together,' the release said, 'whether that's family or friends, sports, dance, faith, community or neighborhood.' Attendees are encouraged to wear team jerseys and apparel, and floats will celebrate the colors and mascots of favorite teams and organizations. Parade participation sign-ups started Monday. 'Highland Park's Independence Day events reflect the community's patriotic spirit and steadfast commitment to supporting and celebrating each other,' Rotering said. 'This year's parade theme reminds us that teams bring people together in support of a common goal, and that we are most resilient when we support each other.' Originally Published: March 5, 2025 at 11:34 AM CST
