Chicago shooting suspect confessed, prosecutor says

A judge on Wednesday ordered Robert Crimo III to be held without bail after he gave police a detailed account of the shooting in Highland Park, a suburb of Chicago. The suspect reportedly said he also contemplated opening fire at another event in Madison, Wis. Authorities said he fled there and likely did not plan to attack Madison originally. So far, seven have died and nine people, ranging in age from 14 to 70, are still hospitalized. Authorities said some are still in critical condition.

How did he get his gun? Police were called to his family’s house twice for threats of violence and suicide in 2019. But despite Illinois’ relatively strict gun laws, he still legally purchased five weapons, including the high-powered rifle used in the shooting. Police said at the time Crimo got his gun license, he was not a clear and present danger. Police are still investigating his motive.

Dig deeper: Read the statistics about who owns guns in the United States in WORLD Magazine.