Highland Park, Illinois – A Lake County judge has made a decision regarding the accused shooter from the tragic incident that took place during Highland Park’s Independence Day parade in 2022. Robert Crimo III, the Highwood man charged with killing seven people and injuring dozens during the parade, had his phone privileges restored by Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti. The judge modified her previous order from 2023, which had revoked his phone privileges due to alleged violations of jail rules.
Crimo’s phone privileges were suspended after authorities claimed he had used another inmate’s PIN number to contact his mother, following a suspension for threatening corrections officers. The defendant is facing 21 counts of first-degree murder for allegedly opening fire on parade spectators from a Highland Park rooftop on July 4, 2022.
Among the victims of the shooting were five residents of Highland Park: Katherine Goldstein, Stephen Straus, Jacquelyn “Jacki” Sundheim, Kevin McCarthy, and his wife Irina McCarthy. The other two victims were Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza from Morelos, Mexico, and Eduardo Uvaldo from Waukegan. Additionally, nearly 50 people were wounded in the attack, ranging in age from 8 to 88.
Crimo has maintained his plea of not guilty to the charges and is set to stand trial in February 2025. If convicted on multiple counts of first-degree murder, he could face life imprisonment. Currently being held at the Lake County jail, the defendant’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 29.
The tragedy of the Highland Park shooting continues to unfold as legal proceedings move forward. Various related articles provide insight into different aspects of the case, from the defendant’s trial being postponed to his decision regarding self-defense. The community and families affected by the shooting await justice as the case progresses through the courts.