Jury Selection Set to Commence in Murder Trial of Suspect Connected to Suburban Chicago July 4th Parade

WAUKEGAN, Ill.—The individual charged with opening fire during a suburban Chicago Independence Day parade, which resulted in the deaths of seven people, is preparing to go to trial nearly three years post-incident.

The jury selection process is set to begin on Monday following several postponements. Delays have been attributed in part to the unpredictable behavior of the defendant, Robert Crimo III, leading to uncertainty about the trial proceedings.

The Attack

Officials claim that the shooter, positioned on a rooftop, targeted crowds gathered for a Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park, an affluent suburb located 30 miles from Chicago.

The fatal incident in 2022 left seven individuals dead, including both parents of a young child, with many others sustaining injuries. The victims’ ages ranged from their 80s to an 8-year-old boy, who now suffers from partial paralysis.

Eyewitnesses recounted the chaos as gunfire erupted, which was followed by panic as families fled the parade route, abandoning their lawn chairs and strollers in their rush to seek refuge in nearby homes and businesses.

Officials decided to cancel the parade the next year, but it was reinstated for 2024 with a tribute to the victims.

Mayor Nancy Rotering has expressed that the community wishes not to be overshadowed by the tragedy. This month, she revealed that the parade will proceed in July but without fireworks due to ongoing “community trauma.”

“The theme for this year’s parade serves as a reminder that teamwork unites individuals in pursuit of a shared objective, highlighting our greatest strength when we come together,” Rotering stated.

The victims of the shooting included: Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; Stephen Straus, 88; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; and married couple Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Irina McCarthy, 35.

The Case

The charges against Crimo include 21 counts of first-degree murder—three counts for each victim—alongside 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery.

Prosecutors have presented approximately 10,000 pages of evidence and hours of video footage from an interrogation in which authorities claim Crimo confessed to the shooting. However, the 24-year-old defendant has entered a not guilty plea and has declined a plea deal.

Court documents have made certain segments of the interrogation public, although defense attorneys unsuccessfully attempted to have the videos dismissed, arguing that Crimo’s rights were infringed upon.

In the videos, officers can be seen repeatedly confirming whether Crimo understood his Miranda rights, which grant him the right to remain silent and seek legal representation.

“I’ve heard them a million times,” Crimo is reported to have responded at one point.

Prosecutors have also played footage depicting an individual dressed in women’s attire, identified by law enforcement as Crimo, making his way towards the parade route on July 4, 2022.

Additionally, Crimo’s inconsistent behavior in court could pose challenges for the defense. He previously missed two court hearings, choosing to remain in his jail cell, and during a June 2024 hearing, he appeared in a wheelchair and unexpectedly rejected a plea offer, even shocking his own legal team. At one point, he dismissed his public defenders, stating he would represent himself, only to later retract that decision.

“At this juncture, anything is possible,” remarked Eric Johnson, a law professor at the University of Illinois.

Neither Crimo’s defense team nor Lake County prosecutors have commented in advance of the trial.

The Family

Crimo’s father, Robert Crimo Jr., entered a guilty plea in 2023 to seven misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct, which pertained to the manner in which his son obtained a firearm license.

In 2019, at just 19 years old, Crimo III was permitted to apply for a gun license only with parental or guardian sponsorship. His father approved, despite a relative having alerted authorities about Crimo’s collection of knives and threats of violence.

Crimo Jr., a former mayoral candidate and erstwhile deli owner, has been present at his son’s court proceedings, maintaining eye contact with him during hearings. He refrained from providing detailed commentary on the case.

“As a parent, I have deep affection for my son, and Bobby’s love for this country is unparalleled,” he stated in a phone interview. “I have no further comments.”

The Jury

Potential jurors are scheduled to arrive at the Waukegan courthouse on Monday for what attorneys predict will be a trial lasting about a month. However, the high-profile nature of the case may complicate the jury selection process.

Survivors and their families have initiated multiple lawsuits, targeting both the manufacturer of the semiautomatic weapon used and the authorities they accuse of negligence.

Those who have come forward publicly have declined interviews prior to the trial. Some are anticipated to testify, along with police and a former school resource officer who interacted with Crimo during his middle and high school years.

Experts suggest that jurors’ selection will need to be approached with extreme caution.

“There is information that is widely known,” noted Alan Tuerkheimer, a jury strategy consultant not involved in the case. “This situation has impacted the community on a profound level.”

By Sophia Tareen