US July 4 parade gunman considered second attack while on the run
- Suspect Robert Crimo, who has confessed to the fatal shooting, drove to Madison, Wisconsin, where he thought about using the weapon in his vehicle, police say
- Despite officers being called to his home in 2019 after he threatened to ‘kill everyone’ in the family, Crimo was able to legally buy at least five firearms
The 21-year-old man arrested for a deadly mass shooting at a July 4 parade in an affluent Chicago suburb has confessed and admitted he considered a second attack while on the run, officials said.
Illinois State Police also addressed mounting questions about how Robert Crimo, who had a history of mental health issues and threatening behaviour, was able to legally purchase at least five firearms.
After fleeing the parade shooting scene in Highland Park, Illinois, Crimo drove to Madison, Wisconsin where he thought about attacking another July 4 event, police said.
“He seriously contemplated using the firearm he had in his vehicle to commit another shooting,” police spokesman Christopher Covelli said on Wednesday.
Prosecutor Ben Dillon said during a bond hearing for Crimo that the suspect had confessed to carrying out the shooting in Highland Park, which left seven people dead and at least three dozen injured.
Among those killed were the parents of a two-year-old boy, Aiden McCarthy. A GoFundMe donation page set up for the child had raised over US$2.5 million as of Wednesday.