Robert Crimo, Jr., the father of alleged Highland Park parade shooter Robert “Bobby” Crimo III, was charged with seven counts of reckless conduct in relation to the mass shooting, Lake County officials announced on Friday.
The charges were announced by Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Reinhart and are related to Crimo Jr.’s sponsorship of his son’s Illinois FOID card.
“Parents and guardians are in the best position to determine whether or not their teen should possess a firearm. They represent the initial line of defense. When Robert Crimo Jr. sponsored his son in this instance, the system failed. Despite his knowledge, he signed the document. This was criminally negligent and a contributing factor to the victims’ injuries on July 4th “Reinhart said.
Reinhart stated that the reckless conduct charges stem from the information Crimo Jr. had about his son when he sponsored his FOID application.
Crimo Jr. is charged with one count for each fatality resulting from the mass shooting. He turned himself in on Friday and is scheduled to appear in bond court on Saturday.
Crimo III faces 117 charges in connection with the July 4th parade massacre that left seven people dead and dozens injured.
Crimo Jr. had previously stated that he does not regret sponsoring his son for a FOID card, which allowed his son to legally purchase firearms — despite incidents that raised red flags with police.
Crimo Jr. described the entire situation as a nightmare in July, stating that his family is equally shocked because he believes his son was raised with good morals.
“Honestly, I’m just in turmoil. Of every aspect. Emotions. I mean, it’s just. I don’t know how else to describe it besides that it’s numbing. As if I were in a nightmare right now “he said.
Crimo Jr. stated that he never expected this from his son, who is currently in custody on charges of killing seven people at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park.
Crimo Jr. stated, “As a father, I pretty much lost a son,”
The first time he spoke publicly was in an exclusive phone interview with ABC News.
Crimo, Jr. stated that he knew his son had a handgun because he showed it to him, but that he was unaware that his son had purchased at least five weapons, including two high-powered rifles.
But the police knew his son.
In April 2019, the same month the elder Crimo ran for mayor of Highland Park and lost, Bobby’s mother told police officers her son “attempted to commit suicide by machete” and had a “history of attempts.”
The Highland Park Police Department determined the alleged Fourth of July massacre suspect posed a “clear and present danger” after a family member reported in September 2019 that he had threatened to “kill everyone” according to a newly released police record.
The police eventually removed a 24-inch Samurai sword and multiple knives from the room of the young Crimo. Later, they were returned to the father, who at the time claimed to be living elsewhere.
Crimo Jr. minimized his son’s 2019 threats to kill others, comparing them to a child’s outburst.
He stated that his position on his son owning a firearm remained unchanged, leaving the decision up to the vetting process.
Crimo Jr. stated, “Making threats to the family — I think it’s taken on a context where it’s like just a child’s outburst, whatever he was upset about,”
Crimo Jr. sponsored his son’s under-21 firearm owners ID card just three months later, which was approved by Illinois State Police and renewed when Bobby turned 21.
When asked if he feels remorse for sponsoring his son for a FOID card after a series of incidents that raised red flags with police, he responded, “No.” “Acquitted. No, he did everything by himself.”
He stated that he does not regret assisting his son in obtaining a FOID card because he was acting lawfully.
“He went through the legal process, you know. I am uncertain if it is guilt. I feel terrible about what occurred. Worse than horrible, “Crimo Jr. added.
However, he did not independently obtain a FOID card. Crimson III needed a sponsor vouching that he was not a threat in order to legally acquire a firearm at the age of 19.
“I completed the consent form to give my son permission to go through the Illinois State Police’s FOID card application process. As if it were only a consent form to allow my son to undergo the procedure. They conduct record checks “Crimo Jr. said.
Leave a Reply