Highland Park Parade Shooter Gets Life Without Parole \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Robert Crimo III, who opened fire during a 2022 Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois, was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to killing seven and injuring dozens more. Survivors and families gave powerful statements during the sentencing hearing.
Quick Looks
- Shooter: Robert Crimo III, 24, pleaded guilty to all charges
- Victims: 7 killed, 48 wounded, dozens traumatized
- Sentence: 7 life terms + 50 years for attempted murder
- Judge’s Statement: Crimo “irreparably corrupt,” beyond rehabilitation
- Courtroom Behavior: Crimo absent, reversed decision to attend
- Legal History: Previously fired lawyers, backed out of plea deal
- Victim Testimonies: Survivors shared grief, forgiveness, and frustration
- Prosecutor’s View: Shooting was a “merciless” premeditated act
- Confession Shown: Crimo detailed attack in recorded interview
- Final Outcome: “He will die in prison,” said public defender
Deep Look
In a landmark sentencing that brought an emotional close to one of Illinois’ most horrific mass shootings, Robert Crimo III was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2022 Highland Park Independence Day parade massacre.
The 24-year-old gunman, who admitted to killing seven people and wounding dozens more, was given seven consecutive life terms by Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti, along with 50-year sentences for each of the 48 attempted murder charges.
“This court has absolutely no words that could adequately describe and capture the horror and pain that was inflicted on July 4th,” Rossetti said in court.
A Day of Terror in Highland Park
The attack on July 4, 2022, shattered what was meant to be a day of celebration in Highland Park, a suburb north of Chicago. Crimo positioned himself on a rooftop overlooking the parade and fired 83 rounds in 40 seconds into the crowd.
His assault left seven dead and scores injured, including an 8-year-old boy who was paralyzed, elderly victims in their 80s, and families torn apart. Parents Kevin and Irina McCarthy, both killed, left behind their toddler son.
The victims were:
- Katherine Goldstein, 64
- Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63
- Stephen Straus, 88
- Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78
- Eduardo Uvaldo, 69
- Kevin McCarthy, 37
- Irina McCarthy, 35
Judge Rossetti: “Irretrievably Depraved”
In her ruling, Judge Rossetti described Crimo as:
“Irretrievably depraved, permanently incorrigible, irreparably corrupt and beyond any rehabilitation.”
Crimo did not attend the two-day sentencing hearing, a decision that stirred mixed reactions among survivors and families. Some viewed it as cowardice, while others said his presence would have intensified their trauma.
Crimo’s Absence and Erratic Behavior
The sentencing was briefly delayed Thursday when Crimo changed his mind about attending, prompting a pause as authorities prepared to escort him. But his defense later clarified the issue was unrelated, and he returned to his cell at the Lake County Jail.
Crimo’s courtroom history has been marked by erratic behavior:
- He fired his public defenders
- Backed out of an earlier plea deal
- Attempted to represent himself
- Signed his name alongside Donald Trump’s when waiving trial
- Skipped multiple hearings despite warnings from the judge
His public defender, Gregory Ticsay, told reporters:
“He’s always known he was facing life in prison. He spared this community a lengthy trial. He will die in prison.”
Confession and Evidence Presented in Court
Although Crimo avoided a full trial by pleading guilty just before opening arguments, prosecutors presented chilling evidence prepared for court, including:
- Surveillance footage from the attack
- Victim photos
- Crimo’s video-taped confession
In the confession, Crimo slumps in a chair, arms folded, offering a calm yet haunting recount of his actions:
“I walked up the stairs, jumped on the roof and opened fire,” he told police.
He admitted to briefly reconsidering the attack due to a gun malfunction, but resolved to continue after fixing the issue.
Survivors Speak Out in Court
The hearing featured powerful and heart-wrenching statements from survivors and relatives of the victims. Many spoke of lives upended by the violence — physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Liz Turnipseed, who was gravely wounded and now walks with a cane, dismissed Crimo’s absence as “just another of his antics” but emphasized the importance of closure:
“I don’t need to see his face. I know what he looks like.”
Another victim called Crimo’s absence “cowardly,” while others expressed faith-based forgiveness, showing the wide range of emotions in the wake of the tragedy.
Legal Perspective on Crimo’s Sentencing
According to David Erickson, former appellate judge and professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law, it is rare but not illegal for a defendant to skip their own sentencing:
“Often in violent crimes, a defendant will express remorse. That didn’t happen here.”
Both prosecutors and the judge confirmed Crimo showed no remorse, further underscoring his life sentence without parole.
Behind the Violence: Premeditation and Planning
Prosecutors made clear that Crimo’s actions were calculated and intentional. Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart called the attack an “evil plan” to destroy joy on a celebratory day:
“This was his evil plan. He intended to end the happiness he saw around him. He was merciless.”
Despite attempts by defense attorneys to suppress the confession, the evidence overwhelmingly supported the conclusion that Crimo acted with clear intent and no regret.
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