Highland Park shooter pleads guilty to murder, faces sentencing

Robert Crimo III, the man charged with killing seven people and injuring 48 during a July 4, 2022 parade in Highland Park, Illinois, unexpectedly pleaded guilty to all charges on Monday, just moments before his trial was set to begin. The plea includes 21 counts of first-degree murder and 48 counts of attempted murder, and it was accepted by Judge Victoria Rossetti after confirming Crimo understood the implications of his decision. Prosecutors are set to present extensive evidence, including DNA and eyewitness accounts, at the sentencing hearing scheduled for April 23, where Crimo faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. Local officials characterized the plea as a significant step toward justice for the victims and their families, who continue to grapple with the aftermath of the shooting. Crimo's previous indecision about pleading guilty adds to the complexity of the case, which captured national attention due to the nature of the crime and the profile of the shooter. The incident has sparked ongoing discussions about gun control and community safety in the wake of mass shootings in the U.S.