Uncle of the Man Who Killed 7 in Highland Park Shooting Says Dad Was Right to Help Son By a Gun

As Mamas Uncut previously reported, the father of the man who opened fire at a Highland Park Fourth of July parade revealed in an interview with ABC News that he “filled out the consent form to allow my son to go through the process that the Illinois State Police have in place for an individual to obtain a FOID card.”

When asked if he regrets his role in his son being able to purchase a firearm following the tragedy that occurred during the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Bob revealed he didn’t regret it.

Uncle of the Man Who Killed 7 in Highland Park Shooting Says Dad Was Right to Help Son By a Gun

“Do I regret that? No, not three years ago — signing a consent form to go through the process … that’s all it was,” Crimo said, telling ABC that he is also not worried about potential legal consequences. 

“Had I purchased guns throughout the years and given them to him in my name, that’s a different story. But he went through that whole process himself.” As Bob explained, all of the guns he helped his son buy were with Bobby’s money and registered in his name.

Now, Bobby’s uncle, Paul Crimo, is defending Bob as well. While talking with CNN, Paul said he “supports him 100% — I think he did the right thing.” Paul also discussed Bob’s decision to help Bobby buy a gun just months after threatening to kill his family.

As Mamas Uncut also reported last week, the FOID card that Bob helped his son obtain was reportedly issued in 2019, months after Bobby threatened to “kill everyone” in his home. As ABC News reports, at the time of that threat, Highland Park police confiscated 16 knives, a dagger, and a sword from Bobby’s possession. 

Bobbly was then flagged as a “clear and present danger.” Bob admitted he didn’t believe Bobby’s threat at the time to be serious, but more of typical teenage angst.

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Paul told CNN that he was “sure” his brother “knew about” his son being investigated for those 2019 threats. “People recover quickly … maybe he recovered quickly and he was in his right mind frame at that time,” Paul added as he dismissed the warning signs his nephew exhibited.

However, while Paul supports Bob’s role in helping his son obtain various weapons, Paul admits he probably wouldn’t have signed the consent form. “If it was me, no, I wouldn’t … I probably would not have signed it. […] I think the law’s gotta be tightened up.”

Paul then continued by saying, “If somebody has a life threat, if somebody’s suicidal or if somebody’s under depression … the state should see that and not give the person a FOID card,” noting that Bobby passed “four background checks” before being deemed fit to own a gun.

So far, Bobby has been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder. However, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart says more charges will be coming.