Police did not directly link the father of Highland Park shooting suspect Robert E. Crimo III to any criminal blame, but they did say that he "may have a responsibility in certain circumstances" for his son's murderous conduct. Authorities have previously stated that the suspect, who was 21 years old, was too young to obtain firearms permit from the state of Illinois in 2019, but his father, Bob Crimo Jr., sponsored one for him despite prior threats by his son to hurt himself and loved ones.
Highland Park Shooter's Dad Could Face Criminal Charges
By
Haider Ali in
Crime
On 9th July 2022
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Charges may be brought against the father of the suspected Highland Park gunman who injured numerous people in addition to killing seven.
To help his son buy the weapons which he is accused of using in the shooting that occurred on Monday, July 4 in Illinois, Bob Crimo helped him obtain permission.
The suspect, 21-year-old Robert E. Crimo III of Chicago, is alleged to have brought an AR-15-style rifle to Highland Park for the Fourth of July parade, according to the police.
Credit: Facebook/Robert ‘Bobby’ Crimo Jr
According to CNN, at least seven people were killed and 39 were injured when the shooter, who was on the roof of a store, climbed a fire escape ladder at around 10:15 a.m. local time and began firing into the crowd.
The consent form, which is necessary for Illinois State to receive a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card, was filled out for his son, according to information provided by the suspect's father to ABC News earlier this week.
At the time, Robert was 19 years old, which meant that following state law, he could only get the card with parental approval.
The request was submitted only three months after Robert declared his intention to "kill everyone" within their home in December 2019, prompting the police to be contacted and declare him a "clear and present danger."
Credit: Twitter
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Although Illinois officials warned Bob that he would go to jail for his activities, Bob insisted to the source that he had no regrets about completing the form.
While the application itself might not result in criminal charges, Eric Rinehart, the state's attorney for Lake County, told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that they are "exploring" additional possible charges connected to "responsibility to the community."
There is a case to be made against the father, according to Stephen Blandin, a lawyer who has defended the families of other mass shooting victims, who told CBS News.
"If the state doesn't press charges, then they're admitting that the whole statute is a sham," he said.
Brendan Kelly, director of the Illinois State Police, refrained from commenting on whether or not Bob will face charges instead of telling reporters that there is "an ongoing criminal prosecution and criminal investigation."
"Issues of culpability, liability, who may have the responsibility in certain circumstances, are all part and parcel of that process,” he explained.
“Making a conclusionary statement, the Illinois State Police, weighing in on that, is not appropriate. That determination and the answer to that question is something that will have to be decided in the court."
Robert Crimo was refused bond at a hearing on Wednesday and is now being charged with seven charges of first-degree murder.
His next court appearance is presently set for July 28; if found guilty, he faces a life sentence.