Suspected Highland Park Shooter’s Dad Could Face Charges

The father of the Highland Park gunman suspect who killed seven and injured dozens could face charges. 

Bob Crimo assisted his son in obtaining the permit that helped him purchase the firearms he allegedly used to carry out the shooting on Monday, July 4, in Illinois.

Police said the suspect – identified as 21-year-old Chicago native Robert E Crimo III – took his AR-15 style rifle to Highland Park for the Independence Day parade. 

At around 10:15 am local time, he climbed up a fire escape ladder onto the roof of a store before firing more than 70 rounds into the crowd, killing at least seven and injuring 39, reports CNN. 

The suspect’s dad told ABC News earlier this week that he filled out the consent form for his son, which is required in Illinois State in order to obtain a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card.

Robert was 19 years old at the time, which under the state law meant he could only obtain the card with parental consent. 

The application was made just three months after Robert threatened to 'kill everyone' inside their family home in December 2019, resulting in the police being called to the scene and classing him a 'clear and present danger'. 

Although Bob told the outlet that he didn’t regret filling out the form, Illinois officials said he could face legal consequences for his actions. 

Eric Rinehart, Lake County state's attorney, told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that while the application itself wouldn’t necessarily lead to criminal charges, they are ‘exploring’ other potential charges relating to ‘responsibility to the community'.

Meanwhile, Stephen Blandin – an attorney who’s represented the families of numerous mass shooting victims – told CBS News that there’s a case to be made against the father. 

"If the state doesn't press charges, then they're admitting that the whole statute is a sham," he said. 

Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly was reluctant to say whether or not Bob would be charged, telling reporters that there’s an ‘ongoing criminal prosecution and criminal investigation’.

"Issues of culpability, liability, who may have responsibility in certain circumstances, are all part and parcel of that process,” he explained. 

"Making a conclusionary statement, the Illinois State Police, weighing in on that, is not appropriate. That determination and the answer to that question is something that will have to be decided in the court."

At a court hearing on Wednesday, Robert Crimo was denied bond and is now facing seven counts of first-degree murder. 

His next court date is currently scheduled for July 28, and if convicted he could be sentenced to life in prison.

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