The man accused of killing seven people and wounding dozens more in a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, pleaded not guilty Wednesday. An attorney representing Robert Crimo III, the 21-year-old suspect, filed the plea a week after prosecutors announced a grand jury had indicted him on 117 felony counts in the attack.
The suspect appeared for a brief hearing Wednesday in Lake County District Court to enter a formal plea to the charges — 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery — representing those killed and injured in parade time in Highland Park, a suburb north of Chicago.
The suspect wore a COVID-19 face mask during the 10-minute arraignment and repeatedly told Judge Victoria Rossetti that he understood the charges and the potential penalties he faces, including life in prison.
People lay flowers and cards near the site of a mass shooting during the 4th of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois on July 10, 2022. Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
In late July, Lake County prosecutors announced that a grand jury had indicted the suspect on the charges. Prosecutors had previously charged the 21-year-old with seven counts of murder in the days after the shooting.
Charges of multiple first-degree murder allege that the suspect intended to kill, caused death or serious bodily injury and acted with a high probability of causing death or serious bodily injury to the seven people who died.
A representative of the county public defender’s office, which is representing the suspect, said the office does not comment publicly on any cases. A lawyer from the office entered his plea of not guilty during a court appearance Wednesday.
Prosecutors said the suspect confessed to the shooting after police arrested him following a lengthy manhunt for the gunman, who opened fire from the roof of a building along the parade route.
Highland Park mayor addresses Senate Judiciary Committee on gun violence and assault weapons ban 04:32
Authorities said the ages of those injured ranged from eight to more than 80 years old. Cooper Roberts, an 8-year-old boy, was one of the youngest victims and among the 38 injured. He was paralyzed from the waist down when his spine was severed during the shooting. Cooper is now in a hospital headed for rehab.
The motive for the attack has not yet been established.
In comments made after the hearing, Lake County Prosecutor Eric Rinehart declined to say whether the suspect could face additional charges and said he would not comment on whether his parents could face charges.
Some in the community questioned why the suspect’s parents apparently supported his interest in guns just months after he reportedly made threats of suicide and violence.
George Gomez, a lawyer representing the suspect’s parents, said Wednesday that they are not worried about criminal charges being brought against them. Both attended Wednesday’s hearing, where they sat quietly behind their son.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Gomez described his clients as “devastated” and “heartbroken” for Highland Park and said they were cooperating with authorities.
If convicted of killing at least two people, the suspect faces a mandatory life sentence, according to CBS Chicago. Meanwhile, attempted murder charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison, and aggravated battery charges carry up to 30 years in prison.
The suspect is being held without bond and is expected back in court on Nov. 1, CBS Chicago reports.
Add Comment