CHICAGO (AP; Fox Network) — Authorities have taken the “person of interest” – Robert “Bobby” Crimo III into custody in connection with the Highland park Illinois parade shooting earlier today. 6 people were killed and over two dozen were reportedly injured. Hundreds of police had been going door to door looking for Crimo. A citizen lockdown had been in place. North Chicago police reportedly saw Crimos’ car and pulled him over after a brief chase.
North Shore Highland Park Hospital reports they treated 26 gunshot victims; a hospital in nearby Evanston, Illinois, reports treating 5 victims.
The parade began around 10 a.m. but was suddenly peppered with gunfire 10 minutes into the start of the event by a gunman perched either on a rooftop or an upper story windows alongside the parade route. The city and others in the area quickly cancelled all Fourth of July events.
Hundreds of parade-goers — some visibly bloodied — fled the parade route, leaving behind chairs, baby strollers and blankets.
Video shot by a Sun-Times journalist after the gunfire rang out shows a band on a float continuing to play as people run past, screaming. A photo posted to social media appeared to show pools of blood near upturned chairs in downtown Highland Park.
Debbie Glickman, a Highland Park resident, said she was on a parade float with coworkers and the group was prepared to turn onto the main route when she saw people running away from the area.
“People started saying ‘There’s a shooter, there’s a shooter, there a shooter,’” Glickman told the Associated Press. “So we just ran. We just ran. It’s like mass chaos down there.” Some witnesses reported thinking the gunfire may have been fireworks associated with the parade. On the Highland Park city website, a promotional story reported the parade would feature floats, marching bands, novelty groups, community entries and other special entertainment.
NBC News reports Crimo performed as a rapper under the name “Awake,” with music videos that included depictions of mass murder. The report also says Crimo posted a video to YouTube showing him at the aftermath of a school shooting. In the video Crimo drapes himself in an American flag.
(Copyright, All Rights Reserved, WBAP/KLIF 2022)
