Father of Highland Park Shooter Charged With Reckless Conduct In Connection With Helping Son Obtain Gun
In July 2022, 22-year-old Bobby Crimo shot 30 people, 7 fatally, at a Highland Park Fourth of July parade.
He was indicted on 117 counts in late July.
His father, Robert Crimo Jr. spoke with ABC 7 Chicago claiming that his murderous son had “good morals” and took no responsibility for helping his son obtain guns.
In December 2019 , Robert helped his son obtain his FOID.
“Like, that’s all it was … a consent form to allow my son to go through the process. They do background checks. Whatever that entails, I’m not exactly sure. And either you’re approved or denied. And he was approved and prior, right before 2021,” Crimo said.
Friday, Lake County State’s Attorney announced that Robert has been charged with seven counts of reckless conduct in connection with helping his son obtain the firearm said to have been used in the attack.
Robert Crimo Jr. — the father of the alleged Highland Park Parade gunman — was hit with seven counts of reckless conduct in connection to helping his son obtain the gun prosecutors say was used in the July rampage that left seven dead.
Crimo helped his son, Robert “Bobby” Crimo III, secure weapons despite the 21-year-old’s history of mental illness and threats of violence, prosecutors allege.
“Parents and guardians are in the best position to decide whether their teenagers should have a weapon. They are the first line of defense. In this case, the system failed,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart announced Friday, the day after the charges were filed.
Because he was only 19 when he began collecting firearms, Bobby needed a guardian to sponsor his Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card, which his father signed off for in December 2019, Rinehart said.
Crimo’s attorney said in July that Crimo wasn’t aware of his son’s history before signing off on the card. But Crimo’s brother, Paul, told CNN over the summer that Crimo likely knew about his son’s mental struggles, but “saw no trouble when he sponsored the card.
With his new firearms license, Bobby legally purchased at least five guns, including the Smith & Wesson M&P 15 he’s accused of using to fire more than 80 rounds at the Fourth of July parade.
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