Highland Park Parade Shooting Victims Share Impact Statements as Gunman Remains Absent
Survivors and witnesses of the 2022 Fourth of July parade mass shooting in Highland Park emotionally recounted their experiences at the gunman's sentencing hearing Wednesday, despite Robert "Bobby" E. Crimo III choosing not to attend. Crimo, 24, pleaded guilty last month to 69 counts, including 21 counts of murder, for the attack that killed seven people and wounded nearly 50 others at the July 4, 2022, parade approximately 30 miles outside Chicago. He faces mandatory life imprisonment without parole, as Illinois has abolished capital punishment. More than 10 survivors, victims' family members, first responders, and witnesses had prepared victim impact statements but were denied the opportunity to address Crimo directly after Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart informed the court that the defendant had declined to attend his sentencing, opting to remain in jail. Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti noted […]