Highland Park Shooter Had Knives Confiscated in 2019 after Threatening to Kill His Family
The gunman who allegedly opened fire at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Ill., on Monday had a collection of knives confiscated by police in 2019 after he threatened to “kill everyone” at his house, police said.
Police were called to the home of Robert E. Crimo III in April 2019 after receiving a report that he had attempted suicide one week earlier, Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said at a news conference on Tuesday.
Police spoke to Crimo and his parents at the time, though the incident was ultimately handled by mental-health professionals.
“There was no law-enforcement action to be taken. It was a mental-health issue handled by those professionals,” Covelli said.
In September 2019, a family member called police after Crimo allegedly made threats against his family members, according to Covelli.
“A family member reported that Crimo said he was going to kill everyone and Crimo had a collection of knives,” Covelli said. “The police responded to his residence. The police removed 16 knives, a dagger and a sword from Crimo’s home.”
He said there was no probable cause for arrest. Police did not believe Crimo owned firearms at the time.
Now Crimo faces seven counts of first-degree murder in connection with the parade shooting that left seven people dead and dozens of others injured.
Police said the shooter owned five firearms, including the rifle used in Monday’s deadly massacre and one that was found in his car at the time of his arrest.
Lake County State’s attorney, Eric Rinehart, said Crimo will face “dozens more charges centering around each of the victims.” His office plans to seek a mandatory life sentence.
