Suburban Chicago July 4 Parade Shooting: Man Admits Guilt in Murder and Attempted Murder Charges

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Robert E. Crimo III, 24, admitted guilt on Monday for murdering seven people during a 2022 Independence Day parade in Highland Park, a suburb of Chicago. This plea came just before his trial was set to start, where he faced multiple murder and attempted murder charges.

In a Lake County courtroom, Crimo changed his plea from not guilty. Initially, he was charged with 21 counts of first-degree murder and numerous counts of attempted murder. However, prosecutors dropped several lesser charges before jury selection began last week.

During the hearing, Judge Victoria Rossetti confirmed Crimo understood the charges before accepting his guilty plea. He sat with his lawyers and answered most questions with simple, one-word replies. Crimo’s mother reacted emotionally upon hearing the plea change, prompting the judge to remind her to remain quiet.

By changing his plea, the trial was avoided altogether, and the jury was not even brought into the courtroom. The legal process has been slow, partly due to Crimo’s erratic behavior. Last year, he shocked everyone by backing out of a plea deal at the last moment. He also fired his public defenders, attempted to represent himself, and then changed his mind again. At times, he refused to leave his jail cell for court appearances.

As Crimo pleaded guilty, prosecutors detailed the tragic losses and injuries inflicted during the shooting. They presented significant evidence, including DNA evidence and a video confession. Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart emphasized the long-lasting impact of Crimo’s actions on the community, stating that he was fully prepared to present the case at trial.

Crimo will be sentenced on April 23. Each murder charge carries a maximum life sentence without parole. Survivors of the attack will have the opportunity to speak at his sentencing.

Following the hearing, family members of victims expressed their relief over the plea change. Ashbey Beasley, who attended the parade with her son, shared her struggles with seeing Crimo during the hearings, adding that the experience has been stressful for the entire community.

Survivors and the families of victims have filed several lawsuits, seeking justice not only against Crimo but also against the manufacturer of the weapon used in the attack. Crimo’s father faced charges related to how his son obtained a gun license and pled guilty to misdemeanor charges in 2023.

Highland Park, a community of about 30,000 residents along Lake Michigan, has struggled deeply with the aftermath of the shooting. The usual Independence Day parade was canceled in 2023, replaced by a community walk. However, last year, the parade was reinstated, with a new route and a memorial for the victims. Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering called the plea change a step toward justice, reminding everyone of the ongoing pain felt by the affected families.

The seven victims included Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; Stephen Straus, 88; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; and married couple Kevin and Irina McCarthy, ages 37 and 35, respectively. Each life taken represents a profound loss for friends, families, and the broader community.

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Chicago, Crime, Legal proceedings, Kevin McCarthy, Shootings, Homicide, Indictments, General news, IL State Wire, AP Top News, Eduardo Uvaldo, Jacquelyn Sundheim, Irina McCarthy, Denise Pesina, Stephen Straus, Victoria Rossetti, Trials, Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, Juries, Robert Crimo Jr., Eric Rinehart, U.S. news, Katherine Goldstein, Jennifer McGuffin, Nancy Rotering