West Cook News

Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison offered prayers for those affected by the shooting in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens wounded.

On July 4, Highland Park residents were gathered together for a parade when a man began firing into the crowd from a rooftop, a Wednesday report from WLS said. 

Person of interest Robert "Bobby" Crimo III, age 22, evaded capture for approximately eight hours until law enforcement took him into custody in Lake Forest after a member of the public reported seeing him driving a vehicle on the highway, a Wednesday BBC report said.

"We’re praying for the victims, families and the entire community of Highland Park after the horrific tragedy that occurred at today’s Fourth of July Parade," Morrison said in a Facebook post. "What should’ve been a day of celebration has now turned into a day of tremendous sorrow. We hope the perpetrator who committed this evil act is brought to justice swiftly by law enforcement. We’re all mourning the immeasurable loss of today."

Crimo, a rapper who goes by the name Awake the Rapper, had videos from his YouTube channel that featured images of mass murders, an Axios report said. The videos have since been taken down.

Police noted that they have found noting thus far to suggest the shooting was racially or religiously motivated, but their investigation is ongoing; the BBC report said.

"This is a terribly difficult day, and the bloodiest that we have experienced in Highland Park," Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said in a statement. "We are fortunate to be supported by our law enforcement community and Federal, State, County and local government officials who have all offered resources as we work to apprehend the perpetrator and protect Highland Park and nearby communities. ... Our community, like so many before us, is devastated. It’s impossible to imagine the pain of this kind of tragedy until you’re confronted with it. 

“Gun violence - a mass shooting such as this casts a much wider net of agony than what the public is typically exposed to; it’s a crisis that devastates entire families and communities in a single moment and we know will take time to heal. Again, I want to extend my thanks to the people and resources who are moving this investigation forward and we all look forward to bringing this individual to justice. On behalf of the City of Highland Park, our hearts are broken for the victims and their families. As we always do, we will support each other. We are Highland Park strong.”

Authorities said the attack was likely premeditated for weeks, NPR reported on Tuesday. The alleged shooter is thought to have gained access to the roof of a business by climbing a fire escape ladder, after which he opened fire and shot more than 70 rounds of ammunition at parade-goers. 

"Today, I ask all Illinoisans to pray for the families who have been devastated by the evil unleashed this morning in Highland Park, for those who have lost loved ones and for those who have been injured," Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) said in a statement. "I also ask that we all pray for our first responders at all levels of government who are actively working to bring the suspect into custody, and whose bravery undoubtedly saved innocent lives on the scene. There are no words for the kind of monster who lies in wait and fires into a crowd of families with children celebrating a holiday with their community. There are no words for the kind of evil that robs our neighbors of their hopes, their dreams, their futures. 

“There are no words I can offer to lift the pain of those they leave behind. Please know that our state grieves with you, that MK and I grieve with you. But grief will not bring the victims back, and prayers alone will not put a stop to the terror of rampant gun violence in our country. I will stand firm with Illinoisans and Americans: we must - and we will - end this plague of gun violence."

After the shooting, Crimo walked to his mother’s house nearby where he borrowed her vehicle and drove to Madison, Wis., before returning to Illinois; NPR said. Police discovered another rifle in Crimo's mother's vehicle, and additional guns were found in the home of his father. All the firearms appeared to have been purchased legally.