Highland Park Parade Shooting: A Day of Celebration Turned Tragic

A Fateful Day

On the morning of July 4, 2022, Highland Park, Illinois, a serene suburban community known for its affluence and picturesque settings, was bustling with excitement. Residents and visitors gathered to celebrate Independence Day, their spirits high as they lined the streets for the annual parade. At precisely 10:00 a.m., the parade commenced, weaving its way through the heart of the town, following a route from the intersection of Laurel and St. Johns Avenues, north on St. Johns Avenue, then west on Central Avenue to Sunset Woods Park.

Just 14 minutes into the festivities, the air was shattered by the sound of gunfire. Positioned atop the Ross Cosmetics building, a shooter unleashed a barrage of bullets upon the unsuspecting crowd below. This attack, carried out with a Smith & Wesson M&P15 semi-automatic rifle, left seven people dead and 48 others wounded, marking one of the darkest days in Highland Park’s history. The shooter, later identified as Robert Eugene Crimo III, fired 83 shots before fleeing the scene.

The Immediate Aftermath

Chaos ensued as parade-goers scrambled for safety. The scene was harrowingly captured by Chicago Sun-Times reporter Lynn Sweet, whose footage showed a klezmer band continuing to play even as panic erupted around them. First responders rushed to the location, with some attendees stepping in to provide critical medical help before their arrival. Photos of the carnage quickly circulated on social media, painting a grim picture of the day’s events.

The Manhunt Begins

In the wake of the shooting, a massive manhunt was launched. Over 100 law enforcement officers from various agencies descended upon Highland Park. The shooter managed to escape as officers approached, abandoning the rifle used in the attack. Crimo fled towards Madison, Wisconsin, with another firearm, a Kel-Tec SUB-2000 rifle, in his car. Although he briefly considered attacking another Independence Day event in Madison, he ultimately refrained and discarded his cell phone in Middleton, Wisconsin.

It wasn't until a vigilant driver from Waukegan recognized Crimo's damaged 2010 Honda Fit that the manhunt gained traction. The driver and passengers meticulously relayed their observations to 911 operators, leading to Crimo's apprehension by North Chicago and Lake Forest Police units at 6:30 p.m. on the same day, over eight hours after the shooting.

The Victims

The shooting claimed seven lives, including two Mexican nationals—a 78-year-old grandfather and a 69-year-old man. Among the deceased were also three Jewish victims: a 63-year-old woman, an 88-year-old grandfather, and a 35-year-old woman, as well as a 64-year-old mother of two. The ages of the victims ranged from 8 to 88 years old, painting a picture of a community indiscriminately targeted.

Highland Park Hospital treated 26 people, 25 of whom had gunshot wounds, with some later transferred to Evanston Hospital. The attack left one victim paraplegic. Additional victims were treated at Glenbrook Hospital and other facilities within the Northshore University Medical System network.

The Investigation

The investigation, a collaborative effort involving the FBI, Illinois State Police, and Chicago Police, concluded that Crimo acted alone. His home in Highwood was raided, uncovering three rifles, a shotgun, and a handgun. Authorities alleged that Crimo meticulously planned the attack, even disguising himself in women's clothing to evade capture amidst the fleeing crowd.

Despite his extensive online presence indicating far-right and neo-fascist leanings, investigators found no evidence of racial or religious motivation behind the shooting. Crimo’s actions on social media, described by experts as a mix of irony, sadness, and extremist ideologies, seemed disconnected from any singular political or ideological cause.

Legal Proceedings

Charged with seven counts of first-degree murder on July 5, Crimo confessed the following day. By July 27, a grand jury indicted him on 117 felony counts, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated battery. Although initially pleading not guilty, Crimo changed his plea to guilty on March 3, 2025, just before his trial commenced. On April 24, 2025, he was sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences without parole, plus an additional 2,400 years for attempted murder charges.

Civil Lawsuits and Perpetrator's Background

In the aftermath, survivors and their families have pursued legal action against Smith & Wesson, Illinois State Police, and Crimo's father, Robert Crimo Jr. Crimo himself had a troubled past, marked by a history of domestic disturbances and mental health issues. Despite these red flags, he was able to legally obtain firearms, a fact that has sparked significant controversy and debate over gun control and mental health interventions.

Crimo’s life, marred by early online radicalization and familial instability, culminated in this tragic and senseless act of violence. As Highland Park continues to heal, the community and the nation grapple with the lingering questions of how such tragedies can be prevented in the future.

Sources

For more detailed information, visit the original Wikipedia article: Highland Park parade shooting