Authorities say the suspect in the Fourth of July parade shooting that killed seven people was using a high-powered rifle, similar to an AR-15, that he purchased legally in Illinois.
Police say 21-year-old Robert Crimo III was dressed in women’s clothing in an effort to conceal his identity and make it easier to escape after he used a fire escape ladder to climb to a rooftop in Highland Park and open fire on the crowd below. Crimo is accused of firing at least 70 rounds, leaving 30 people wounded in addition to the fatalities. A seventh victim died of their wounds Tuesday. Crimo had a second rifle in his possession when police caught him Monday night.
Police say they have no information on a possible motive in the attack, which they believe Crimo had been planning for weeks. Crimo has been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder, and prosecutors say “dozens” more charges are pending.
[This story has been updated with information about the formal charges filed against the suspect.]
