The parents of the man allegedly responsible for the Highland Park Fourth of July shooting are speaking out. Their first statement comes after a former acquaintance spoke out calling them “a problem.”
The Parents of the Man Responsible for Highland Park Shooting Speak Out and Ask for Privacy
In a statement issued through their attorney, Robert “Bobby” Crimo III’s mom Denise Pesina and his dad Bob Crimo began by saying, “We are all mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers…”
“…And this is a terrible tragedy for many families, the victims, the paradegoers, the community, and our own. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to everybody,” the statement concluded.
According to the Independent, Denise and Bob hired high-profile attorney Steve Greenberg, who is best known for representing singer R Kelly. The parents further requested that the public respect their privacy “as they try to sort through” everything.
Bobby Crimo, 21, has since been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder. The 7th victim to lose their life as a result of the Highland Park shooting passed away yesterday.
It’s believed more charges could follow. Bobby is believed to have shot off at least 70 rounds at the parade. Lake County state’s attorney Eric Rinehart said they will be seeking the maximum sentence. “Not because we seek vengeance,” he added, “but because justice and the healing process demand it.”
The Independent reports that Bobby intends to plead not guilty. The high-profile rifle he allegedly used that day was also reportedly purchased legally. In a new statement by Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli, it was revealed that Crimo disguised himself as a woman in order to flee being captured prior to his arrest, Mamas Uncut previously reported.
“During the attack, Crimo was dressed in women’s clothing and investigators do believe he did this to conceal his facial tattoos and his identity and help him during the escape.”
“Following the attack, Crimo exited the roof, he dropped his rifle and he blended in with the crowd and he escaped. He walked to his mother’s home who lived in the area,” a tactic that allowed him to blend in.
“And he blended right in with everybody else as they were running around, almost as [if] he was an innocent spectator as well.”
Covelli added that their initial investigation revealed that Crimo had planned his attack for “several weeks.” Social media posts also made by Crimo had proved that he “planned” and “desired” to “commit carnage for a long time in advance.” However, Crimo’s motive for all of this remains unclear.