Robert Crimo III, the man responsible for the deadly 2022 Highland Park Fourth of July parade shooting, pleaded guilty to all charges Monday morning. Appearing in a Lake County circuit courtroom, Crimo formally withdrew his earlier not-guilty plea, ensuring he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Prosecutors initially charged Crimo with 21 counts of first-degree murder—three counts for each of the seven people killed—along with 48 counts of attempted murder. Before jury selection last week, they dropped the 48 lesser aggravated battery charges.
Judge Victoria Rossetti confirmed that Crimo understood the charges before accepting his guilty plea. With this decision, there will be no trial or further motions in the case. Sentencing is set for April 23, though each first-degree murder count carries a mandatory life sentence.
“We are confident in our legal system. We recognize that there are milestones ahead. We continue to stand together and remain committed to supporting the victims, their families, and our entire community as we move forward together as one Highland Park.”
Had the case gone to trial, prosecutors said they were prepared to prove that Crimo was responsible for the massacre, firing multiple rounds into the parade crowd, killing seven people, and injuring dozens. Crimo offered no further comments before leaving the courtroom.
In August 2022, the suspect was indicted on 117 counts for the mass shooting, including 21 counts of first-degree murder – three counts per deceased victim – the outlet reported. The charges also included 48 counts of attempted murder and another 48 accounts of aggravated battery with a firearm – one count of each for every person injured in the attack.
Forty-seven people were named as victims in the filing charges (even though there are more victims), the judge said at the suspect’s Wednesday arraignment. Around two dozen family members and friends of the victims appeared in court at the time.
