Suburban Chicago Shooter Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2022 Independence Day Parade Massacre

A man from the Chicago suburbs who confessed to killing seven people and injuring dozens during a 2022 Fourth of July parade received a life sentence without parole on Thursday.

Judge Victoria Rossetti of Lake County imposed seven consecutive life sentences, as prosecutors had sought, for the first-degree murder charges, after listening to the tearful testimonies of survivors and the grieving families of the victims.

After years of uncertain legal proceedings, 24-year-old Robert E. Crimo III abruptly changed his plea to guilty last month, just as his trial was about to begin.

The shooting, which occurred roughly 30 miles north of Chicago, left many wounded, from seniors in their 80s to an 8-year-old boy who suffered partial paralysis.

Despite warnings from the judge that the sentencing would continue without him if he didn’t attend, Crimo was absent from both days of the hearing and did not submit a written statement beforehand.

In court, survivors and witnesses shared the profound impact on their lives since the tragic event that left seven dead and dozens injured.

Keely Roberts, whose 8-year-old son Cooper Roberts is now paralyzed, criticized Crimo as “cowardly” for avoiding the hearing. “You will not hear my grief,” she stated, “You are now irrelevant.”

It’s uncommon for defendants to skip their own trials or sentencing, but the law allows them not to be present, according to former state appellate judge and Chicago Kent College of Law professor David Erickson. Usually, defendants in violent cases will offer explanations or declare innocence before sentencing.

“In crimes of violence, it’s typically expected for a defendant to show some remorse,” Erickson noted.

While some survivors labeled Crimo a “monster,” others mentioned their faith encouraged them to forgive him. The emotional impact of the tragedy remains heavy, with some individuals avoiding public events altogether.

Erica Weeder recounted how she and her husband were injured, lying helpless on the ground among dying victims. She had to undergo extensive medical treatment to extract shrapnel from her body, and her husband had a bullet remain lodged in his elbow for weeks.

“A mass shooting is akin to a bomb explosion within a community,” she described.

Prosecutors argued Crimo was fully aware of his actions as he discharged 83 bullets in 40 seconds. “He meticulously planned this malicious act to extinguish the joy around him,” emphasized Eric Rinehart, the Lake County State’s Attorney.

Crimo admitted guilt to 21 counts of first-degree murder, assigning three charges per deceased victim, and 48 counts of attempted murder. Each murder charge in Illinois carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Even though Crimo was absent, prosecutors ensured his admissions were considered by the court. They spent the first hearing day exposing evidence intended for the trial, including segments of Crimo’s videotaped confession.

In one recording, Crimo, aloof and leaning back in a chair, recounted a moment of doubt due to a malfunction with his weapon, which he later resolved. “I climbed the stairs, leapt onto the roof, and began shooting,” he recounted.

Highland Park police officer Brian Bodden described Crimo as eerily calm and even joking during the confession.

Prosecutors revisited the horrific day experienced by the upscale community of approximately 30,000, presenting parade route footage and gathering witness testimonies detailing the chaotic aftermath.

One video captured a marching band playing “You’re a Grand Old Flag” as shots began. Musicians fled alongside panic-stricken attendees as emergency sirens blared.

The emotional toll of the event was palpable in the courtroom, with tears and supportive embraces exchanged among those present.

The seven lives lost included Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; Stephen Straus, 88; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; and couple Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Irina McCarthy, 35.

Crimo’s father, Robert Crimo Jr., who once ran for mayor, faced charges related to his son’s acquisition of a gun license, pleading guilty in 2023 to seven counts of reckless conduct. He spent less than two months in jail.