(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – The father of accused July Fourth parade shooter Robert Crimo III has been charged with reckless conduct, with prosecutors saying the parent is partly responsible for the deadly mass shooting that occurred last summer in Highland Park.
Robert Crimo Jr. has been arrested on seven counts of felony reckless conduct, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Friday. The elder Crimo is expected in court Saturday.
In 2019, Robert Crimo Jr. sponsored his son’s application for a gun permit because he was underage at the time. In early 2020, Crimo III got a state firearm owner’s identification card, despite his previous threats to kill himself and his family, authorities have said.
“Parents and guardians are in the best position to decide whether their teenager should have a weapon,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said Friday. “They are the first line of defense. In this case, that system failed when Robert Crimo Jr. sponsored his son. He knew what he knew, and he signed the form anyway. This was criminally reckless and a contributing cause to the bodily harm suffered by the victims on July 4th.”
Robert Crimo III faces myriad charges in connection with the July Fourth parade massacre. He allegedly opened fire at the crowd from a rooftop with an assault rifle, killing seven and injuring dozens.
Crimo III is currently facing 117 charges. His next court date is Jan. 31, 2023.
Reckless Conduct is a Class 4 felony. Robert Crimo Jr. can be sentenced for up to 3 years in prison, if convicted.
Contributing: Sun-Times Media Wire
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