Highland Park Shooting: Suspect charged with murder over 4 July attack

CHICAGO: A man accused of opening fire on a Fourth of July parade near Chicago has been charged with seven counts of murder, officials say.

Robert Crimo, 21, would be punished “for the killing spree he has unleashed against our community”, Lake County State Attorney Eric Rinehart said.

The attack in Highland Park left seven dead and more than 30 others injured.

Mr Rinehart added that dozens more charges would be filed before the investigation was over.

“These are just the first of many charges that will be filed against Mr Crimo,” he said to cheers and applause from the crowd gathered for the news conference on Tuesday. “I want to emphasize that. There will be more charges.”

The suspect is accused of firing 70 bullets from a high-powered rifle down onto the crowd and disguising himself as a woman so he could escape alongside fleeing victims.

After an eight-hour manhunt on Monday, police arrested Mr Crimo and he was discovered with a second rifle similar to the one used in the attack.

Three other firearms were also found at his home. Police said the suspect had two prior contacts with law enforcement but was still able to purchase five guns in the past year.

In April 2019, police were called to his home one week after he reportedly attempted to take his own life. And in September 2019, police were called by a family member who said Mr Crimo had made violent threats to “kill everyone”.

Police responded and seized 16 knives, a dagger and a sword from his home. He was not arrested and no further action was taken.

Officials on Tuesday called for an education campaign to raise awareness of the state’s red flag laws, which allow a judge to order that a person deemed dangerous have their weapons seized and be barred from buying more guns.

Mr Crimo is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.

Six of the victims have been named so far. They include:

• Irina McCarthy, 35, and Kevin McCarthy, 37 – The married couple died while protecting their two-year-old son, who was uninjured
• Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78 – The Mexican father of eight was visiting family when he was shot in his wheelchair
• Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63, worked at a local synagogue in Highland Park, which has a large Jewish population

Two other victims, Katherine Goldstein, 64; and Stephen Straus, 88, have also been identified.

-BBC