An Illinois judge sentenced the Highland Park Parade shooter to seven consecutive life sentences without parole Thursday. Robert Crimo III opened fire on a Fourth of July Parade in Highland Park, Illinois, in 2022, killing seven and injuring 48 others. Judge Victoria A. Rossetti of Lake County Circuit Court called Crimo “irretrievably depraved,” saying he showed a “complete disregard for human life.” She added: “No sentence can ever change the events of July 4, nor can it compensate for the loss of a loved one or injured.” In March, Crimo dodged a potentially lengthy trial by pleading guilty to 69 counts of murder and attempted murder. Crimo was also sentenced to 50 years in prison for attempted murder of each of the 48 people he wounded. Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart told the court Thursday that “many believe that the sentence you give cannot redress this.” Crimo received the maximum sentence possible for his crimes given Illinois abolished the death penalty in 2011. Crimo refused to appear at his hearings on Wednesday and Thursday, but the sentencing proceeded without him. He is currently being held in Lake County Jail.
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