Just before his trial was about to begin, Robert Crimo III admitted to the horrific crime that shocked the Highland Park community. On Monday, March 3, the 24-year-old pleaded guilty to killing seven people and injuring over 50 others during the Fourth of July parade in 2022.
Crimo’s trial was set to kick off that morning at the Lake County Court in Waukegan, Illinois, but instead of going through the month-long process of opening arguments and testimony, he surprised everyone by pleading guilty to all 69 charges against him. These included multiple counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder.
The tragic attack happened when Crimo climbed onto a rooftop in Highland Park’s bustling downtown area and opened fire on parade-goers with a semi-automatic rifle. As chaos erupted and terrified families ran for their lives, Crimo tried to escape by disguising himself as a woman and blending into the crowd.
Crimo had previously turned down a plea deal offered by prosecutors, but on the day the trial was supposed to start, he changed course and admitted to everything without any negotiation or deal in place. Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart confirmed there were no agreements or reduced sentences behind the plea. It was Crimo’s own decision, made just that morning.
Even as Crimo made this unexpected confession, his mother, Denise Pesina, tried to intervene. She argued that the case should have been moved to federal court and not heard in Lake County, but her objections didn’t stop the plea from going through.
In court, Crimo remained calm and answered simply when the judge asked if he understood the charges against him. “Yes,” he said.
With his guilty plea, Crimo now faces life in state prison. His sentencing is scheduled for April 23.
The people of Highland Park continue to grapple with the pain and trauma left by the attack. Mayor Nancy Rotering shared a heartfelt statement, saying the guilty plea is an important step toward justice but doesn’t take away the suffering. She vowed that the community would remain united in supporting the victims and their families.
As Highland Park tries to heal, the memories of that tragic day remain fresh. But with Crimo’s admission of guilt, there’s hope that those affected can finally begin to find some sense of closure.
