Saturday 9 July 2022 12:24 AM Highland Park gunman's father could face charges for sponsoring his son's ... trends now
The father of the Highland Park gunman could face criminal charges, Illinois officials have said, after he sponsored his son's application to buy guns despite police being called due to the teenager threatening to 'kill everyone'.
Bob Crimo's son Robert, now 21, bought five weapons in 2020 and 2021, including the semiautomatic rifle he allegedly used to fire more than 70 rounds into the crowds during the July 4 parade, killing seven.
Authorities were called to the home of the Highland Park shooting suspect's parents numerous times between 2010 and 2014, according to police records released on Friday. Most of the nine incidents documented by the local police involved allegations of verbal or physical altercations between the suspect's parents.
Robert was 19 when he applied for the firearm owner's identification card (FOID). Under Illinois law, a person over 18 but under 21 can only be granted the card with parental agreement. The parent agrees to be held liable for 'any damages' resulting from the applicant's use of firearms.
Bob Crimo signed the form in December 2019, despite police being called to their home twice that year because Robert was making threats. In April 2019, he threatened to kill himself, and in September 2019 he vowed to 'kill everyone' - leading state police to class him as a 'clear and present danger'.
Three months later, Bob Crimo signed the FOID forms.
Bob Crimo, the father of the Highland Park gunman Robert Crimo, signed forms authorizing his deeply troubled son's purchase of firearms, despite him being only 19 at the time
Robert Crimo, now 22, shot and killed seven people on July 4 in Highland Park in a well-planned massacre
Robert Crimo used a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 to carry out his deadly July 4 attack
'There's probably going to be civil litigation,' said Brendan Kelly, state police director.
'There is ongoing criminal prosecution and criminal investigation.
'Issues of culpability, liability, who may have responsibility in certain circumstances, are all part and parcel of that process.'
Robert Crimo, 21, is accused of murdering seven people at a July 4 parade
He would not confirm whether Bob Crimo would be criminally charged.
'Making a conclusionary statement, the Illinois State Police, weighing in on that, is not appropriate,' he said, adding that the matter would ultimately be decided in court.
Eric Rinehart told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Friday night that Bob Crimo's filing of the application itself would not necessarily result in criminal charges, but they were 'exploring' other potential charges related to 'responsibility to the community'.
Stephen Blandin, an attorney who has represented many victims' families, said there was a case to be made against Bob Crimo.
'If the state doesn't press charges, then they're admitting that whole statute is a sham,' he said.
Blandin cautioned that he believes prosecutors may be hesitant to file charges since gun issues are highly political, CBS Chicago reported.
Bob Crimo and his wife Denise Pesina hired an attorney who once represented R. Kelly, Steve Greenberg, earlier this week.
He on Wednesday said the parents were devastated, but insisted they were innocent.
'This isn't the parent's fault. This is the fault of the young man who was allowed by the system that's
