The man was charged with killing seven people in a July 4 parade in suburbs of Chicago in 2022 and pleaded guilty Monday in suburbs of Chicago, as expected to be reported in his murder trial.
The man, Robert Crimo III, pleaded guilty to 69 counts of crimes, including murder and attempted murder, which would result in at least seven consecutive sentences of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
“This is what you want to do today, do you plead guilty?” Victoria A of Lake County Circuit Court.
“Yes,” Mr. Crimo answered Judge Rossetti if he knew what the confession explained to him.
Surprise requests to avoid a jury trial in the crime that shocked Illinois Highland Park, a Chicago lakeside suburb. Prosecutors said Mr. Crimo climbed onto the roof of downtown Highland Park on July 4, 2022, and sprayed bullets among the crowds paraded below. He managed to escape during the chaos, but was arrested in a town a few hours later.
The attack filled Highland Park with horror and sadness, an event designed to celebrate the freedom and community of a closely-connected town. Dozens of people attending the meeting were injured by bullets and taken to nearby hospitals. Residents are warned to stay at home while searching for the gunman. In the Chicago area, fireworks shows and other town gatherings were cancelled to celebrate July 4.
The effort to sue Mr. Crimo has been on for many years, a frustrating process that frustrated Highland Park residents and sparked debates about the role played by Mr. Crimo’s father. He helped his son obtain a license to purchase a gun before the shooting.
Lake County State Attorney Eric Rinehart said Monday he was ready to attend the trial and provided overwhelming evidence that would prove Mr. Crimeo’s guilt.
“Today he received nothing of this confession,” Mr Rinehart said. “We have been working for years to prepare our evidence.”
Mr Rinehart said the evidence included eyewitness testimony, trajectory analysis, ballistic reports and Mr Crimeo’s plea to law enforcement officers on the day of the murder.
The pleading shocked almost everyone to gather in court on Monday.
Officials said Mr. Crimo, 24, had requested a change in his plea in court before the trial Monday morning. Family members of dozens of victims who gathered to watch the trial learned about the changes in the announcement of the lawsuit.
When the request was announced, Mr. Crimeo’s mother, Denise Pesina, shouted outrage in the seat in the court, but remained quiet after the judge warned and threatened to remove him.
Mr. Crimeo’s father, Robert Crigo Jr., declined to comment.
In 2023, Elder Mr. Crimo pleaded guilty to his role in helping his son his own guns to seven misdemeanors. Despite the signs that his son has the ability to commit violence, he initiated an application for his son’s gun permit.
In 2019, a few months before obtaining a state gun permit, a family member was a authorities who were young Mr. Crimeo who threatened to “kill everyone.” Police took out 16 knives, a dagger and a sword from the home, but believed there was no reason to arrest him at that time.
Many family members were still lagging behind after the court adjourned Monday, talking to prosecutor Mr Rinehart and leaving without speaking to reporters. As they walked out, several people hugged each other and cried.
Highland Park resident Ashbey Beasley has become an outspoken gun control activist and later said avoiding a long trial (which would probably take at least four weeks) felt like a level of relief.
Ms. Beasley, who was in the parade in 2022 and fled with her son after the shooting, said the shooting had traumatized the Highland Park community.
“Every moment we can move forward is a great relief,” she said.
Jennifer McGuffin, spokeswoman for law firm Romanucci & Blandin, represents families of more than 50 families who survived or were killed in the attack, and he said the company’s clients came home after court.
“Today is a very exciting event,” she said. “They all ask for some time and space to deal with.”
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering called the guilty plea a “important step towards justice” but did not eliminate the pain.
Mr. Crimo had considered pleading guilty last summer, but at a court hearing, the last minute of the attorney and the victim’s family, reached a deal. In a pretrial lawsuit, Mr. Crimo told the judge that he wanted to represent himself. A few weeks later, he changed his mind and asked for a public defender.
Judge Rossetti sent a sentencing date of April 23.
