CHICAGO (CBS) — Authorities in Highland Park mentioned the suspect within the Highland Park July 4th mass capturing deliberate the assault for weeks and dressed as a lady to cover his tattoos and mix in with the group.
At a information convention, Deputy Christopher Covelli of the Lake County Main Crime Activity Drive mentioned up to now, a motive hasn’t been offered by 21-year-old Robert “Bobby” E. Crimo III. He was arrested round 6:30 p.m., greater than eight hours after the capturing, following a chase within the north suburbs.
Covelli mentioned he was in possession of one other rifle when he was stopped and apprehended and authorities retrieved a number of different firearms “from a residence” in Highwood.
“The rifle was bought in Illinois, and the knowledge we picked up far is that it seems to have been bought legally,” Covelli mentioned. “He was wearing girls’s clothes and investigators do imagine he did this to hide his facial tattoos and his id and assist them in the course of the escape with the opposite individuals who had been fleeing the chaos.”
On Tuesday morning, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering mentioned costs are anticipated to be filed some level immediately. He did buy the weapon used within the assault legally. He had two rifles in his possession.
Covelli added that the division is within the means of placing collectively a timeline of the occasions and requested that anybody with any video they might have to return ahead, as a result of it may assist in the investigation.
“One of many property that now we have is members of the neighborhood. When you’ve got any video of this particular person that’s strolling towards the parade on the parade, doubtlessly on the roof to please name 1-800-Name-FBI (225-5324.)
Covelli mentioned “in the course of the assault, greater than 70 rounds from this rifle (had been fired) into the group of harmless folks.”
He added that Crimo later went to his mom’s dwelling after the mass capturing.
“He walked to his mom’s dwelling who lived within the space and he blended proper in with everyone else as they had been operating round nearly as he was an harmless spectator as nicely,” Covelli added.
So far as the best way Crimo was dressed, Covelli mentioned it was to not solely disguise himself, however to mix in a big gathering of individuals.
“He wore it as a option to conceal himself,” Covelli mentioned, who famous that the capturing seems to be “utterly random.”
When requested whether or not the capturing was impressed by hatred, Covelli mentioned “now we have no data to recommend at this level it was racially motivated, motivated by faith or another protected standing.”
Covelli instructed CBS 2 Investigator Megan Hickey that Crimo acquired his FOID card in 2020, which might have made him 18 or 19, as early as he may get it. He mentioned there are not any indications {that a} second particular person was concerned.
He added that the division has seen quite a few movies put out by the suspect previous to the mass capturing and that they’re going to be a part of the investigation.
Covelli mentioned the weapons had been bought domestically, inside the Chicagoland space.
Mayor Rotering mentioned a number of vigils and prayer providers are happening all through the neighborhood to assist folks grieve and course of the magnitude of the occasion. They embody:
*Trinity Grace Church (Highland Park) together with Christ Church will maintain a neighborhood prayer gathering at Trinity Grace Church, situated at 1506 Half Day Highway at 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday night, there will likely be an interfaith prayer vigil at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 330 Laurel Ave at 7:00 p.m.
*Highland Park Excessive Faculty, 433 Vine Avenue, is internet hosting disaster counseling till 2:00 p.m.
*A household help heart opens Wednesday, July 6, to offer help providers and disaster help. The hours and site are pending. These wanting extra data can go to the Metropolis of Highland Park web site as particulars grow to be out there.
“Anybody who’s a sufferer of the incident and is in want of help. can name 800 Name FBI,” Rotering mentioned.
The mayor thanked individuals who got here out to assist her metropolis.
“I do know what a beneficiant neighborhood we’re part of we’re overwhelmed with the quantity of help supplied not solely from these mother and father, however the surrounding area and all through the nation. Thanks,” Rotering mentioned.
She added that folks needs to be alert to scams that declare assist for victims of the Highland Park mass capturing. Rotering mentioned coming quickly, data will likely be on the town’s web site as to the place folks can donate.
