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Parade mass shooting suspect confessed to massacre, contemplated second attack in Wisconsin, prosecutors said

Shooting July Fourth Parade
Posted at 11:19 AM, Jul 06, 2022
and last updated 2022-07-06 15:13:13-04

Robert E. Crimo III, the suspect accused of killing seven and wounding dozens at a Fourth of July Parade in Highland Park, Illinois, faced a judge Wednesday and will not be allowed to post bond.

Prosecutors said he confessed to the shooting. They said Crimo offered the confession voluntarily.

Crimo was charged with seven counts of murder on Tuesday.

Deputy Chief Chris Covelli of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said on Wednesday that Crimo went to Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, saw another celebration, and "seriously contemplated" committing another attack. Covelli said Crimo had 60 rounds when he was in Madison.

Covelli would not say why Crimo went to Wisconsin in the first place.

"Investigators did develop some information that it appears when he drove to Madison--he was driving around--however, he did see a celebration that was occurring in Madison, and he seriously contemplated using the firearm he had in his vehicle to commit another shooting," Covelli said.

"We don't have information to suggest he planned on driving to Madison initially to commit another attack. We do believe that he was driving around following the first attack and saw the celebrations," added Covelli.

Prosecutors said that Crimo did not intentionally leave a weapon behind and that the firearm recovered on the scene fell out of a bag.

Crimo notified the court Wednesday that he does not have an attorney. Tom Durkin, who was slated to be his attorney, said he could not provide representation. Crimo will meet with a public defender before his next hearing, which was scheduled for July 28.

Prosecutor Eric Rinehart, the Lake County state's attorney, said additional charges would be filed, including attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm against those he wounded during the attack.

"We do believe Crimo pre-planned this attack for several weeks," Covelli said. "He brought a high-powered rifle to this parade. He accessed the roof of a business via a fire escape ladder and began opening fire on the innocent Independence Day celebration-goers."