Illinois Man Accused of Highland Park Shooting to Face Trial 3 Years After Attack

The trial of Robert Crimo III, a suburban Chicago man accused of a horrific mass shooting at a 2022 Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, is set to begin today. The attack, which left seven people dead and dozens injured, shook the affluent community located just 30 miles north of Chicago.

Crimo faces an overwhelming 21 counts of first-degree murder—three counts for each victim—as well as 48 counts of attempted murder. Prosecutors, however, have dropped the 48 aggravated battery charges as jury selection wrapped last week.

The lead-up to this trial has been anything but smooth. Crimo’s unpredictable behavior has caused delays, including his rejection of a plea deal that reportedly blindsided even his own legal team. During jury selection, his court appearances were sporadic, with moments when he outright refused to leave his jail cell. A rollercoaster much? Absolutely.

Authorities say Crimo climbed onto a rooftop and opened fire on parade-goers below. Prosecutors have submitted mountains of evidence, including hours of video from a police interrogation where Crimo allegedly confessed. However, the suspect has since pleaded not guilty. Let’s just say his defense team has remained tight-lipped ahead of the trial, which is expected to last a month.

Adding another layer to this tragic saga is Crimo’s father, Robert Crimo Jr., who faced legal trouble of his own. Crimo Sr., a former mayoral candidate, was charged for his role in helping his son obtain a gun license. He pleaded guilty to seven counts of reckless conduct in 2023 and served less than two months in jail. Despite their legal woes, Crimo Sr. has attended his son’s hearings, expressing unwavering parental love while steering clear of discussing case specifics. "As a parent, I love my son very much," he said. "And Bobby loves this country more than anyone would ever know." A bold statement, considering the circumstances.

The trial will feature testimonies from multiple law enforcement officers and survivors, as well as video evidence of Crimo’s police statements. Prosecutors tried to have some of these videos thrown out, but their efforts were unsuccessful. These pieces of evidence paint a chilling picture of the events that unfolded that day.

Crimo’s erratic behavior has been a constant theme throughout the legal process. He initially fired his public defenders to represent himself, only to later change his mind. In June 2024, during what was supposed to be a plea deal hearing, Crimo arrived in a wheelchair and shockingly rejected the deal. It’s hard to keep up with his unpredictable antics.

The Highland Park community, still grappling with the emotional scars left by the shooting, has sought ways to heal. In 2023, the city canceled its annual Fourth of July parade, replacing it with a "community walk." The parade returned last year, albeit on a different route and with a memorial to honor the victims.

Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering captured the community’s collective pain, stating, "Our community is once again reminded of the immense pain and trauma caused by the Highland Park shooting. Our hearts remain with the victims, their families, and all those whose lives were forever changed by that devastating day."

The victims of the shooting included Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; Stephen Straus, 88; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; and married couple Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Irina McCarthy, 35. Survivors and their families have since filed multiple lawsuits, targeting everyone from the manufacturer of the rifle used in the shooting to authorities accused of negligence.

The trial marks a pivotal moment for the Highland Park community as they seek justice and continue their journey toward healing.