The man accused of a mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, was indicted by a grand jury on Wednesday. Robert Crimo III, 22, is accused of killing seven people and injuring dozens more during a Fourth of July parade.
He has been charged with 21 counts of first-degree murder, three counts for each victim who died. In addition, the suspect has been charged on 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm for each victim who was hit by a bullet, bullet fragment, or shrapnel.
The injured victims range in age from 8 to 80, including an 8-year-old boy whose spine was severed during the shooting, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down, according to authorities.
“I want to thank law enforcement and the prosecutors who presented evidence to the grand jury today,” said Illinois State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart on Wednesday. “Our investigation continues, and our victim specialists are working around the clock to support all those affected by this crime that led to 117 felony counts being filed today.”
During an Independence Day parade, Crimo allegedly climbed a roof on Central Avenue and began firing at attendees with a legally purchased Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifle. He abandoned it at the site, but he apparently had another rifle with him when he traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, and allegedly plotted a second mass shooting that never transpired.
Authorities have not yet identified a clear motive. Crimo owned a total of five firearms, including handguns and rifles, that were obtained legally. A search order executed earlier this month led to the confiscation of the guns from his father’s residence.
Earlier this month, during a virtual bail hearing, Crimo allegedly admitted to authorities that he emptied two 30-round magazines before loading a third and firing again, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Ben Dillon.
The maximum sentence for Crimo, if found guilty of first-degree murder, is life in prison. He is scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment on August 3.
