Latest news with #HighlandParkPoliceDepartment
Metro
21-05-2025
- Metro
Teacher 'sexually abused student and snuck into dance dressed as old woman'
A middle school teacher allegedly sexually abused a student and snuck into a school dance he was banned from by disguising himself as an old woman. Vincent Weaver, 29, a former fine arts teacher and dance team coach at George Washington Carver Academy in Michigan, is accused of sexually assaulting a student aged 10 to 12 years old on campus, according to the Highland Park Police Department. Multiple acts of sexual misconduct allegedly took place over four months. Weaver worked at the academy since August 2023 and was fired earlier this month. 'So we had information that he had choreographed a show that was due to take place at a local college,' stated interim Police Chief James McMahon. 'The event occurred, we knew that the individual really wanted to attend it, however, George Washington Carver staff advised him he should not attend it based on the pending allegations, and he was aware of that. So he took it upon himself to dress as an elderly female and gained access to the event.' Weaver has been charged with a count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and misdemeanor indecent exposure. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Trump ambushes South African president with white genocide claims in tense meeting MORE: Trump administration accepts luxury jet from Qatar to use as new Air Force One MORE: Man named Michael Myers charged with murder in West Virginia
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Victims' loved ones denied chance to confront Highland Park mass shooter
WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Witnesses of the 2022 mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in a Chicago suburb emotionally relived the massacre at the gunman's sentencing hearing on Wednesday — even though Robert "Bobby" E. Crimo III did not show his face in court. Crimo, 24, pleaded guilty last month to 69 counts, including 21 counts of murder, for the shooting that killed seven people and wounded nearly 50 more at a July 4, 2022, parade about 30 miles outside of Chicago. He faces life without the possibility of parole, as Illinois doesn't have capital punishment. The over 10 survivors, family members of victims, first responders, and witnesses of the shooting that are expected to make victim impact statements were denied their chance to confront Crimo after Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart told the court he declined to attend his sentencing and opted to remain in jail. Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti stated that the defendant had been informed that sentencing would proceed with or without him in previous court appearances. Dana Ruder Ring, a Highland Park mother, was among the first to make a statement for the court, recalling how she helped a little boy to safety as Crimo opened fire. Crimo opened fire from a building rooftop into crowded streets below at about 10:14 a.m. on the day of the shooting, officials said. In the chaos, Ring said she came across a woman and child, both covered in blood, as the woman handed her the baby and said: "Blood's not ours, baby is not mine." Ring said she wrapped the boy in a blanket and eventually reunited him with his family. The boy "was covered in blood" and "he had one shoe missing," she recalled. "I was just in mom mode," as she cared for him, Ring told the court. People in the Lake County courtroom took deep sighs, wiped their eyes, and covered their mouths as prosecutors showed pictures and videos of that horrific summer day. Crimo killed Stephen Straus, 88; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; and married couple Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Irina McCarthy, 35. Gerald Cameron Jr., a retired commander of investigations for the Highland Park Police Department, told the court about "rhythmic pace at which point I believed to be gunfire" as parade attendees "frantically, panicked." "People were still running, yelling, screaming for help," Cameron told the court in his victim impact statement. Dr. Jeremy Smiley, an ER physician who traded shifts just to be at that parade, said he still can't shake images of that day. His most lasting memory is of Cooper Roberts, then 8, who was shot and paralyzed. "Not a day goes that I don't think about Cooper," Smiley testified. 'That initial feeling of walking in and seeing someone my kid's age, sick like that, that'll never leave me.' This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Samira Puskar reported from Waukegan, Ill., and David K. Li from Los Angeles County. This article was originally published on
New York Times
23-04-2025
- New York Times
‘Utter Chaos': Witnesses Recall Deadly Shooting at Annual Parade
It began just like every other Fourth of July parade, the witnesses said on Wednesday. In a small courtroom in Lake County, Ill., they recalled the details of the day nearly three years ago with quiet clarity: the high school marching band strolling through downtown Highland Park, the families gathered in their usual spots along the parade route, the police officers directing traffic. And then, witnesses recalled, they heard a popping sound, over and over, coming from a rooftop. 'It went from watching a parade to utter chaos,' said Dana Ruder Ring, a Highland Park resident who testified that she grabbed her children and ran for their lives when she and her husband realized that a shooting was unfolding. There will be no trial for the shooter, Robert Crimo III, who pleaded guilty in March to 69 criminal counts, including murder and attempted murder, in the deaths of the seven people killed on July 4, 2022. The authorities said that Mr. Crimo, then 21, had climbed onto a rooftop in Highland Park, a suburb north of Chicago, and fired into the crowd below with a high-powered rifle. He fled in the aftermath but was arrested in a nearby town hours later. Instead, Wednesday was the start of Mr. Crimo's sentencing hearing, one that could stretch for two or more days so that witnesses and victims can tell their stories. No sentence has been decided yet. Using photos, videos and drone footage, prosecutors established how Mr. Crimo committed the crime, how law enforcement officers responded and how the Highland Park residents who witnessed the shootings still feel the anguish. Family members of those killed packed the courtroom, watching testimony intently and occasionally dabbing away tears. They did not have the opportunity to address Mr. Crimo directly, since he remained in the Lake County jail and did not attend the sentencing hearing. His lawyers noted his absence and said that he did not wish to attend. 'We will proceed with the sentencing without him being present,' Judge Victoria A. Rossetti of Lake County Circuit Court said as the hearing began. The judge is expected to issue a formal ruling after all testimony is given in the coming days, but under Illinois law, Mr. Crimo will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Cmdr. Gerald Cameron Jr. of the Highland Park Police Department was the first to take the witness stand, recalling his original task that day: diverting traffic and helping manage the crowds of thousands of people who arrived to attend the parade. Then Commander Cameron heard gunshots from the rooftop. 'People were running, yelling, screaming for help,' he said. A man lay in the street, bleeding. A woman was nearby, covered in blood, with a bullet wound to her abdomen. As paramedics reached the area, Commander Cameron said, he began transporting victims to a nearby hospital. After he returned to the scene, Commander Cameron and other police officers escorted frightened parade attendees who had been hiding inside businesses. 'They were reluctant to come out,' he said. 'They were horrified.' Dozens of people were wounded and rushed to hospitals. One of the doctors who treated victims, Dr. Jeremy Smiley, testified on Wednesday that he had abruptly fled the parade scene with his extended family. Once they were able to drive away, he asked his wife to drop him off at a nearby hospital where he works. One of the victims in the emergency department was Cooper Roberts, an 8-year-old boy who was shot at the parade. He survived but was left paralyzed. 'There's not a day goes by that I don't think about Cooper,' Dr. Smiley said. 'That will never leave me. There are things I'll carry forever.' Mr. Crimo's trial was about to begin last month when he decided to change his plea on the morning of the trial. That plea brought some measure of consolation to many of the victims' families, who were spared the ordeal of a trial that was expected to stretch several weeks. 'He received nothing in exchange for this plea today,' Eric Rinehart, the Lake County state's attorney, said in March when the change of plea was announced. 'We have been working for years to prepare our evidence.' The parade is one of Highland Park's most popular traditions, attended by thousands of people who line picturesque downtown streets, along restaurants and boutiques. On the first Fourth of July after the mass shooting, Highland Park opted not to hold its usual parade, instead hosting a community walk and memorial ceremony. Mr. Crimo's father, Robert Crimo Jr., did not attend the hearing on Wednesday. He sponsored his son's application for a state gun ownership permit, a step that was required for his son to receive the permit because Mr. Crimo was 19 at the time. He pleaded guilty in 2023 to seven misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct for his role in helping his son own firearms.
NBC News
23-04-2025
- NBC News
Victim's loved ones denied chance to confront Highand Park mass shooter
WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Witnesses of the 2022 mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in a Chicago suburb emotionally relived the massacre at the gunman's sentencing hearing on Wednesday — even though Robert "Bobby" E. Crimo III did not show his face in court. Crimo, 24, pleaded guilty last month to 69 counts, including 21 counts of murder, for the shooting that killed seven people and wounded nearly 50 more at a July 4, 2022, parade about 30 miles outside of Chicago. He faces life without the possibility of parole, as Illinois doesn't have capital punishment. The over 10 survivors, family members of victims, first responders, and witnesses of the shooting that are expected to make victim impact statements were denied their chance to confront Crimo after Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart told the court he declined to attend his sentencing and opted to remain in jail. Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti stated that the defendant had been informed that sentencing would proceed with or without him in previous court appearances. Dana Ruder Ring, a Highland Park mother, was among the first to make a statement for the court, recalling how she helped a little boy to safety as Crimo opened fire. Crimo opened fire from a building rooftop into crowded streets below at about 10:14 a.m. on the day of the shooting, officials said. In the chaos, Ring said she came across a woman and child, both covered in blood, as the woman handed her the baby and said: "Blood's not ours, baby is not mine." Ring said she wrapped the boy in a blanket and eventually reunited him with his family. The boy "was covered in blood" and "he had one shoe missing," she recalled. "I was just in mom mode," as she cared for him, Ring told the court. People in the Lake County courtroom took deep sighs, wiped their eyes, and covered their mouths as prosecutors showed pictures and videos of that horrific summer day. Crimo killed Stephen Straus, 88; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; and married couple Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Irina McCarthy, 35. Gerald Cameron Jr., a retired commander of investigations for the Highland Park Police Department, told the court about "rhythmic pace at which point I believed to be gunfire" as parade attendees "frantically, panicked." "People were still running, yelling, screaming for help," Cameron told the court in his victim impact statement.
CBS News
07-03-2025
- CBS News
9 Highland Park, Illinois businesses targeted by burglars in 30 minutes
Burglars targeted nine businesses in just 30 minutes in north suburban Highland Park overnight. According to the City of Highland Park, a group of five people broke through front doors or windows of the buildings in an attempt to steal cash from the businesses. Highland Park officials said businesses reported both burgaliries and attempted burglaries during the early morning hours on Friday. Among the businesses targeted was Michael's Grill & Salad Bar, a downtown Highland Park staple. Restaurant owners confirmed in a Facebook post they were targeted during the string of burglaries reported by the city. Michael's owners shared a photo of their smashed front window with shattered glass throughout the entrence. Owners released the following statement on Facebook: "Our business and many other Downtown Highland Park small businesses were hit by smash-and-grab crime last night. Now more than ever, let's come together as a community to show our support. Shop local, dine out, and help our businesses recover. Michael's will be OPEN today—stop by and show your love!" The Highland Park Police Department is working with regional law enforcement agencies on the investigation.
