The suspected shooter of the July 4 parade appeared to have had a tumultuous upbringing, but it would be “extremely difficult to hold his parents accountable,” a lawyer said.
Robert Crimo III21, reportedly opened fire on a crowd of people lining the streets of downtown Highland Park, Illinois, and killed eight people and injured dozens more†
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He has been arrested and charged with several murders – and more charges are expected to be filed. He pleaded not guilty, although prosecutors said he confessed.
The Mass Shooting rocked the affluent Chicago suburbs.
The aftermath is still felt emotionally and physically with several blocks of streets still cordoned off and considered a crime scene, still covered in strollers, lawn chairs and children’s toys.
The weapons that Crimo III would have been used, legally purchased and the suspect had a license that: his father – Robert Crimo Jr – sponsored in December 2019 because his son was not yet 21.
The weapons allegedly used were purchased legally, police said.
But the father sponsored the permit just three months after the suspect allegedly threatened to “kill everyone in the house” during a domestic incident, according to the police report.
Illinois state police said last week they are opening an investigation into the suspect’s father.
Would any claims go to court?
Duncan Levin, a former federal prosecutor and now a highly regarded attorney, told The Sun he thinks the investigation into the father is “probably just political.”
The state police would “possibly shift the blame on themselves because they were the entity that actually did the background check,” Levin said.
The Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card and weapons were obtained and purchased legally, which Levin said “would be extremely difficult to hold the parents liable”.
The devil is in the details,” Levin said.
“If he has made a material misrepresentation, there is a possibility that he could be held liable.
“But if, as he suggests, all he did was authorize a background check, it would be highly unlikely that he will be held liable.”
POINT
Crimo Jr sponsored his son’s gun license in December 2019, according to state police.
Three months earlier – September 2019 – police responded to a domestic violence in which Crimo III allegedly threatened to “kill everyone” in the house, the police report said.
According to the report, his parents told officers their son was depressed and had a history of drug use.
Law enforcement officers seized several weapons — including a 16-knife tin lunchbox, a 12-inch dagger and a 24-inch Samuri sword — but they were returned the same day after Crimo Jr said they were his, Illinois state police said. .
No firearms bans or protection orders were filed as the family declined to pursue the complaint, state police said. The case was closed.
“It’s clearly concerning that he passed the background check, given his many contacts with law enforcement over the years and the red flags that come with it,” Levin said.
So said Steve Greenberg, a lawyer representing the parents, in a series of tweets on July 6 in response to the public opinion court pointing the finger at Crimo III’s parents.
“(Illinois State Police) should ask why THEY have approved a FOID card and why THEY allow the sale of assault weapons?” Greenberg tweeted.
“The ‘system’ tries to make this about parenting,” said Greenberg, whose representation of Crimo III’s parents is separate from their son’s representation.
“The parents recognize that this is a legitimate concern. However, it is important to note that the Illinois Police Department extended the gun card when their son turned 21, long before that without any involvement from his father.
“By the way, the law doesn’t require a parent to sponsor, the law just requires them to agree to their child applying. It’s then up to ISP to decide if the individual is authorized to own a gun.
“And the bigger question, which needs to be answered and solved, is why anyone can buy military-grade assault weapons?”
NOT THE FIRST POLICE CRIMO FAMILY RUN-IN
It was reported that after the incident in September 2019, Crimo III had left his parents’ house and lived with his uncle Paul.
More than a decade before the domestic unrest or last week’s shooting, Crimo III’s mother Denise Pesina was charged with endangering the life of a child.
She allegedly left Crimo III in a hot car for about 30 minutes in 2002, according to reports.
During The Sun’s coverage in Highland Park, the outlet asked the suspect’s uncle, Paul, and a close friend, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, about Crimo III’s relationship with his family.
His friend said he didn’t mention his mother, and his uncle said he didn’t think there was a rift between his cousin and his parents.
“I’m shocked. It’s too much to handle,” said Paul Crimo from his car. There were no warning signs. Nothing I saw.”