Robert E. Crimo III, is accused of shooting seven people during a Highland Park Independence Day parade shooting rampage. His father sponsored his son’s firearm owner identification card in 2002, even though he was summoned twice for threatening behavior.
Robert E. Crimo III, was charged with seven counts of murder on Tuesday. According to an Illinois State Police press release, he applied for a FOID card in December 2019 at the age of 19.
Illinois State Police stated that the subject was less than 21 years of age and that the application was sponsored by his father. “There was no reason to deny the FOID request at January 2020’s FOID Application Review. ”
However, the suspected shooter’s dad, Bob Crimo, 58, knew the police had been called to their home twice earlier that same year because his son had threatened to kill himself and the rest of his family.
In April 2019, an individual contacted the Highland Park Police Department a week after learning of Crimo’s attempted suicide, Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said Tuesday.
A week later, police responded to the report. They spoke with Crimo’s parents and Crimo.
In September 2019, Covelli told reporters that Crimo had 16 knives and threatened to kill everyone.
The Highland Park Police Department did inform Illinois State Police about this incident. Covelli said that there was no evidence that he owned any firearms or rifles at the time.
A FOID card is required to legally purchase a gun in Illinois. This is a state-run process. Covelli said that he was unable to comment on the process.
According to Illinois State Police Master Sergeant Delilah Garcia, Crimo didn’t have a FOID card that Crimo could revoke or review at the time of the September 2019 attack. He also did not have any pending applications.
The Highland Park Police Department submitted a Clear and Present Danger Report to the Illinois State Police. They did not give any information regarding threats or mental illness which would have allowed law enforcement to take further action.
The younger Crimo had passed four background checks when he purchased firearms through the Firearms Transaction Inquiry Program. According to the Illinois State Police, his only criminal record was a January 2016 violation for tobacco possession.
Clear & Present Danger Report September 2019, “indicates police went to the home and asked the person if they felt like hurting themselves or others”.” He replied no,” Illinois State Police stated.
“Additionally and importantly, the father claimed the knives were his, and they were being stored in the individual’s closet for safekeeping,” state police said. “Based upon that information, the Highland Park Police returned the knives to the father later that afternoon.”
Highland Park officers responded to a call about an active shooter from the intersection of Central Avenue/Second Street on Monday morning as an Independence Day parade was in progress.
Police are seeking information about one witness. Covelli said that they have video surveillance that shows that Crimo dropped the object inside a red blanket behind Ross at the 625 Central Ave cosmetics shop.
“We are still unable to identify the witness. We are still looking for witnesses, and we are willing to listen. Call 800-CALL FBI to speak with Covelli about the matter.
Police have not determined any definitive motive. Crimo had purchased five firearms including rifles and handguns. Those weapons were seized from his father’s home pursuant to a search warrant Tuesday.
Police know he traveled to the Madison, Wisconsin, area before turning back to Illinois.
