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The man accused of murdering seven people and wounding dozens of others during an attack on crowds watching a July 4 parade in Highland Park, Ill., had actually contemplated a second massacre that same day, authorities revealed on Wednesday.
Police said the suspect, Robert Crimo III, told them he “was driving around, saw a celebration in Madison,” Wisconsin, and “contemplated another attack.”
At the time, he reportedly had about 60 rounds left from the first attack.
However, police say, the alleged killer said told them he decided he “had not done enough planning” to carry out the second attack and therefore decided against it.
Eventually, Crimo drove back to Lake Forest, Ill., where he was arrested by police during a traffic stop on Monday evening.
“We are deeply troubled to learn the suspected Illinois parade shooter considered carrying out another attack here,” Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said in a statement, according to ABC News.
“Mass shootings are far too common in our country,” Barnes said. “The Madison Police Department has recognized this concern for years, has trained for these incidents, and has adjusted our staffing of large events accordingly.”
During a news conference on Wednesday, the chief said he was “thankful that no innocent lives were taken from our city.”
The New York Times reported that Crimo allegedly opened fire with a “high-powered rifle” from a rooftop in Highland Park during the parade on Monday. The city has had a so-called ‘assault weapons’ ban in place for many years but that, obviously, did not deter the shooter.
Previous reports noted that police had been called to the home where Crimo lived on several occasions. On one of them, they removed several knives and a sword after Crimo reportedly threatened to kill his family.
Subsequent reports noted that Crimo’s gun purchase should have been flagged by the state of Illinois’ “red flag law” which is supposed to deter people who have been deemed dangerous to themselves or others from buying firearms. However, that law did no good, either, apparently.
“Following the alleged killings, Crimo reportedly dressed in women’s clothing to disguise himself, the Times reported. He joined the crowd in his disguise and walked to his mother’s home, where he borrowed her car and drove to Madison, about 140 miles away,” noted The Western Journal.
Crimo, 21, has been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder. If he’s convicted, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
That said, Crimo’s legal defense is off to a rocky start, as his attorney quit in the middle of his first court appearance on Wednesday.
Defense attorney Tom Durkin was unable at first to access the Zoom video, but after the problem was rectified, the attorney, who was hired by the Crimo family, learned that he may have a conflict of interest, The Western Journal reported.
“Case is getting underway now. Crimo, who is appearing over Zoom, said he doesn’t have private attorney hired. He’s now in a private breakout room with the public defender, who was under the impression Crimo had retained private counsel,” WTTW reporter Matt Masterson said.
“Private attorney Tom Durkin, who had indicated he’d be representing Crimo, is apparently trying to join the Zoom, which has nearly 100 participants,” he said.
“Lake County prosecutors have, unsurprisingly, filed a petition seeking to have Crimo held without bond,” he said.
Lake County prosecutors have, unsurprisingly, filed a petition seeking to have Crimo held without bond.
— Matt Masterson (@ByMattMasterson) July 6, 2022
“The parents of the suspect retained attorneys Tom Durkin and Josh Herman to represent their son last night, but a conflict of interest prevents Durkin. Crimo will now be assigned a public defender. A preliminary hearing is set for July 28 at 1:30,” Fox reporter Mills Hayes said.
NEW: The parents of the suspect retained attorneys Tom Durkin and Josh Herman to represent their son last night, but a conflict of interest prevents Durkin. Crimo will now be assigned a public defender. A preliminary hearing is set for July 28 at 1:30. @FoxNewsMMR https://t.co/aX0DncN6W4
— Mills Hayes (@MillsHayesTV) July 6, 2022
Beforehand, attorney Steve Greenberg, Durkin’s senior partner whose client list includes such notable defendants as singer R. Kelly, issued a statement by the family of the alleged shooter.
“The parents of the accused Highland Park shooter have retained us to represent them. They wish that we share the following: ‘We are all mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, and this is a terrible tragedy for many families, the victims, the paradegoers, the community, and our own. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to everybody.’ The parents request that all respect their privacy as they try to sort thru this tragedy,” he said.
“To be clear, Robert Crimo III is represented by attorneys Tom Durkin and Josh Herman, not me!” he said.
