Robert Crimo III charged with 117 counts related to deadly mass shooting at July 4 parade
Robert Crimo III, the man accused of killing seven and wounding dozens more at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, last year, will represent himself in his criminal trial set for February 2024.
Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti allowed the 23-year-old Crimo to represent himself without the help of public defenders after asking if he understood the consequences of the charges, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Crimo reportedly replied, "Yes," and invoked his right to a speedy trial. It was unclear why Crimo chose to move forward without his representation.
The judge set the trial date for Feb. 26, 2024.
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Robert Crimo III is accused of killing seven people and wounding dozens more in a shooting at an Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago last year. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, Pool, File)
Crimo faces a total of 117 counts, which include 21 counts of first-degree murder, along with 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm for each victim who was struck by a bullet, bullet fragment, or shrapnel.
Robert Crimo III had pleaded not guilty to 117 counts for his role in a shooting that left seven people dead and dozens injured during a Fourth of July parade in 2022. (AP/handout from Lake County Major Crime Task Force)
Crimo allegedly climbed on a roof above the Fourth of July parade on Central Avenue and opened fire on spectators with a legally purchased Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifle. He dropped it at the scene in Highland Park but had another rifle with him as he drove to Madison, Wisconsin, and allegedly contemplated a second mass shooting that never materialized.
Robert E. Crimo Jr., waits to leave after an appearance at the Lake County Courthouse, Friday, Nov. 3 in Waukegan, Illinois. Crimo Jr. pleaded guilty to seven misdemeanors related to how his son obtained a gun license. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, Pool)
Crimo’s father, Robert Crimo Jr., pleaded guilty last month to seven misdemeanors of reckless conduct relating to how his son obtained a gun license. He was charged once for each person his son is accused of killing.
Fox News’ Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.
