(HorizonPost.com) – The father of the July Fourth parade shooter pleaded guilty on Monday to seven misdemeanor charges for helping his son obtain a gun license when he was only 19, the Associated Press reported.
Robert Crimo Jr., the father of Robert Crimo III who killed seven people at the Highland Park July Fourth Parade in 2022, entered his plea as his trial in Lake County court was about to begin. Judge George Strickland immediately sentenced Crimo Jr. to 60 days in jail and one hundred hours of community service.
Crimo Jr. was facing trial on seven felony counts of reckless conduct, one for each person his son murdered.
Crimo III was able to apply for a gun license in 2019 while only 19 with the sponsorship of a parent. His father agreed to sponsor him, despite an incident only months earlier when a relative reported his son to the police for threatening to “kill everyone.”
At Monday’s hearing, State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart told Judge Strickland that Crimo Jr. was also aware that his son had suicidal thoughts. Despite the length of time between the application and the shooting, Crimo Jr. was still “criminally reckless” when he submitted the affidavit on behalf of his son, Rinehart said.
Rinehart described the sentence as a good result and said it sends a message to prosecutors, law enforcement, and parents across the country that “they must be held accountable.”
Crimo Jr.’s attorney George Gomez said his client pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless conduct to spare the community from having to relive the “tragic events” of that day.
Gomez said his client was also concerned that if the details and evidence from the July Fourth shooting were broadly aired during his trial, it would make it difficult for his son to receive a fair trial. He added that Crimo Jr. pleaded guilty so that his family would not be “torn apart” in the court of public opinion more than it already has.
Crimo Jr. will begin his jail sentence next week.
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