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WAUKEGAN, Ill. — The individual charged with the tragic shooting that occurred during a suburban Chicago Independence Day parade, resulting in the death of seven individuals, is preparing to face trial nearly three years after the incident.
Jury selection is set to commence on Monday, after a series of delays, largely attributed to the unpredictable behavior of the defendant, Robert Crimo III, which has led to concerns regarding the trial’s proceedings.
The Shooting
Authorities claim that the shooter, stationed on a rooftop, opened fire on spectators gathered for the Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park, a wealthy suburb located 30 miles (50 kilometers) from Chicago.
The shooting in 2022 claimed seven lives, including those of both parents of a young child. Many others sustained injuries, which included a range of ages from elderly individuals in their 80s to an 8-year-old boy who was left with partial paralysis.
Eyewitnesses recounted the chaos that ensued as gunfire erupted, leading families to scatter in panic, abandoning their belongings, such as lawn chairs and strollers, in their rush to find safety within nearby homes and businesses.
In response to the tragedy, city officials canceled the parade for the following year; however, it is set to return in 2024 with a tribute honoring the victims. Mayor Nancy Rotering stated the aim is not to allow the mass shooting to define the community. This month, she confirmed that the July parade will resume but will exclude fireworks due to the lingering “community trauma.”
“This year’s parade theme serves as a reminder that teamwork brings individuals together in pursuit of a shared goal, and that our resilience is strongest when we support one another,” Rotering expressed.
The victims of the shooting included: Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; Stephen Straus, 88; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; and the married couple Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Irina McCarthy, 35.
The Case
Crimo is facing a total of 21 counts of first-degree murder—three counts for each victim—as well as 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery.
Prosecutors have provided approximately 10,000 pages of evidence, including extensive video evidence captured during a police interrogation in which Crimo reportedly confessed to the shooting. In spite of this, the 24-year-old defendant has pleaded not guilty and turned down a previously offered plea deal.
Portions of the interrogation have been made public through court proceedings, and the defense has unsuccessfully tried to have the videos excluded on the basis that Crimo’s rights were violated.
The footage displays police officers repeatedly assuring Crimo of his Miranda rights, which range from the right to remain silent to the right to legal representation. At one moment, Crimo responded, “I’ve heard them a million times.”
Additionally, prosecutors have presented footage of an individual dressed in women’s clothing, whom law enforcement identified as Crimo, approaching the parade route on the morning of July 4, 2022.
Crimo’s unpredictable courtroom demeanor could also present challenges for his defense. Notably, he missed two court dates by refusing to exit his jail cell, and in June 2024, despite being expected to accept a plea deal and allow victims’ families to address him, he appeared in a wheelchair and surprisingly rejected the plea, leading to confusion even among his legal representatives. He had also dismissed his public defenders only to later retract that decision.
“Anything could transpire at this juncture,” stated Eric Johnson, a law professor at the University of Illinois.
Both Crimo’s defense team and Lake County prosecutors have refrained from commenting in advance of the trial.
The Family
Crimo’s father, Robert Crimo Jr., was convicted in 2023 on seven misdemeanor charges of reckless conduct related to how his son gained access to a firearm.
In 2019, when Crimo III was only 19, he was only eligible to apply for a gun license if sponsored by a parent or guardian. His father consented, despite prior reports to the police detailing his son’s possession of various knives and threats to “kill everyone.”
Robert Crimo Jr., who previously ran for mayor and owned a now-defunct deli, has been present at his son’s court hearings, often making eye contact but has chosen not to provide further commentary on the situation.
“As a parent, I love my son very much, and Bobby holds this country dearer than anyone could imagine,” he mentioned during a phone interview. “I have no further comments.”
The Jury
Prospective jurors are scheduled to arrive at the Waukegan courthouse on Monday for what is anticipated to be a month-long trial. However, the high-profile nature of the case complicates juror selection endeavors.
Survivors and their families have initiated multiple lawsuits, including those against the manufacturer of the semi-automatic weapon involved in the shooting and against various authorities whom they accuse of negligence.
Individuals who have voiced their experiences thus far have declined interviews before the trial but are expected to testify, alongside law enforcement officials and a former school resource officer who interacted with Crimo during his middle and high school years.
Experts suggest that the jury selection process will require careful consideration by attorneys.
“There is a considerable amount of information available,” noted Alan Tuerkheimer, a consultant who advises legal teams on jury strategies but is not participating in this trial. “Such events have deeply impacted the community.”
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