Robert Crimo III Sentenced to Life for July 4 Parade Massacre

WAUKEGAN, Ill. – Robert Crimo III, the man who killed seven people during a July 4 parade in Highland Park in 2022, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Thursday. Crimo, 24, received seven consecutive life sentences, one for each victim he took away.

Judge Victoria A. Rossetti announced the sentence following emotional testimony from survivors and family members of the victims. “This court has absolutely no words that could adequately describe and capture the horror and pain that was inflicted on July 4th,” she said in the courtroom.

Crimo did not attend the sentencing hearing, opting to remain in jail. Parents of the accused, who had typically been present at court, were also absent. Despite this, many victims’ families were present to share their experiences.

Leah Sundheim, whose mother Jacqueline Sundheim was killed, addressed the court and expressed her grief. “I hope you wake in the middle of the night, gasping air you don’t deserve,” she stated. She shared that her family’s life was destroyed by Crimo’s violent actions.

Others testified about the emotional toll the incident took on their lives. Marcia Moran, who suffered trauma after her husband was shot, spoke from Tennessee via Zoom. “The shooter doesn’t get to take anything more from me,” she said firmly.

In March, Crimo pleaded guilty to 21 counts of first-degree murder and 48 counts of attempted murder. Prosecution revealed during the sentencing that Crimo began planning the shooting years prior. Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene as families tried to flee the gunfire.

One survivor, Ashbey Beasley, shared her relief at the plea deal. “Every single time I see [Crimo], it’s stressful,” she explained. The sentiment was echoed by others, with many expressing hope to finally heal.

During the emotional hearings, detailed testimonies recounted the panic that ensued as Crimo opened fire from a rooftop, leaving behind 83 shell casings and a scene of devastation. The youngest victim was an 8-year-old boy who was left paralyzed from injuries sustained during the shooting.

Victims were aged from a toddler to an elderly man, and families are left mourning loved ones. Authorities have noted that the shooting has changed lives forever and community leaders have since taken steps to model safety and remembrance.

As the court proceedings ended, Judge Rossetti urged everyone affected to seek closure. “We can only hope this sentence brings you some justice,” she remarked.