Suspect fired more than 70 rounds at the Highland Park parade, wore women’s clothing to avoid detection

CHICAGO (CBS) — Authorities in Highland Park said the suspect in the Highland Park July 4th mass shooting planned the attack for weeks and dressed as a woman to hide his tattoos and blend in with the crowd.

A high-ranking law enforcement source with direct knowledge of the investigation released an image of 21-year-old Robert “Bobby” E. Crimo III. Source tells CBS 2 the image was captured Monday after the shooting.

At a news conference, Deputy Christopher Covelli of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force said so far, a motive hasn’t been provided. Crimo was arrested around 6:30 p.m., more than eight hours after the shooting, following a chase in the north suburbs. 

Covelli said he was in possession of another rifle when he was stopped and apprehended and authorities retrieved several other firearms “from a residence” in Highwood.

“The rifle was purchased in Illinois, and the information we picked up far is that it appears to have been purchased legally,” Covelli said. “He was dressed in women’s clothing and investigators do believe he did this to conceal his facial tattoos and his identity and help them during the escape with the other people who were fleeing the chaos.”   

On Tuesday morning, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said charges are expected to be filed some point Tuesday. Covelli described the power of the weapon used in the attack.

“It was a high powered rifle that was used it was shot high velocity rounds to be similar to an AR 15,” Covelli said.

He added that the department is in the process of putting together a timeline of the events and asked that anyone with any video they may have to come forward, because it could help in the investigation.

“One of the assets that we have is members of the community. If you have any video of this individual that is walking toward the parade at the parade, potentially on the roof to please call 1-800-Call-FBI (225-5324.)

Covelli said “during the attack, more than 70 rounds from this rifle (were fired) into the crowd of innocent people.”

He added that Crimo later went to his mother’s home after the mass shooting.

“He walked to his mother’s home who lived in the area and he blended right in with everybody else as they were running around almost as he was an innocent spectator as well,” Covelli added.

As far as the way Crimo was dressed, Covelli said it was to not only disguise himself, but to blend in a large gathering of people.

“He wore it as a way to conceal himself,” Covelli said, who noted that the shooting appears to be “completely random.”

“He was seen on camera in women’s clothes. Video cameras played a tremendous role in how we were able to identify him,” Covelli said.

When asked whether the shooting was inspired by hatred, Covelli said “we have no information to suggest at this point it was racially motivated, motivated by religion or any other protected status.”

Covelli told CBS 2 Investigator Megan Hickey that Crimo got his FOID card in 2020, which would have made him 18 or 19, as early as he could get it. He said there are no indications that a second person was involved. 

He added that the department has viewed a number of videos put out by the suspect prior to the mass shooting and that they’ll be part of the investigation.

Covelli said the weapons were purchased locally, within the Chicagoland area.

Mayor Rotering said several vigils and prayer services are taking place throughout the community to help people grieve and process the magnitude of the event. They include:

*Trinity Grace Church (Highland Park) along with Christ Church will hold a community prayer gathering at Trinity Grace Church, located at 1506 Half Day Road at 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday evening, there will be an interfaith prayer vigil at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 330 Laurel Ave at 7:00 p.m.

*Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Avenue, is hosting crisis counseling until 2:00 p.m.

*A family assistance center opens Wednesday, July 6, to provide support services and crisis assistance. The hours and location are pending. Those wanting more information can visit the City of Highland Park website as details become available.

“Anyone who is a victim of the incident and is in need of support. can call 800 Call FBI,” Rotering said. 

The mayor thanked people who came out to help her city.

“I know what a generous community we are a part of we are overwhelmed with the amount of support offered not only from those parents, but the surrounding region and throughout the nation. Thank you,” Rotering said.

She added that people should be alert to scams that claim help for victims of the Highland Park mass shooting. Rotering said coming soon, information will be on the city’s website as to where people can donate. 

Covelli said despite the capture of a suspect, the investigation is far from over. 

“We’re going to reach out to everybody we possibly can that has information firsthand information about him, whether that’s family members, teachers, friends, whoever it is that has information, but it does take time,” Covelli said, adding that it’ll include people who may have crossed paths with Crimo years ago.

“Who may know him, who knew him in the past. That is something that taskforce investigators are working on. They’ve interviewed a number of people thus far. But please keep in mind, we’re 24 hours in and there’s a lot of work to be done here. We’re not done.”