A man accused of opening fire on a Fourth of July parade near Chicago has been charged with seven counts of murder, officials said.
The 21-year-old would be punished “for the killing spree he has unleashed against our community”, Lake County State Attorney, Eric Rinehart, said.
The attack in Highland Park left seven dead and more than 30 others injured.
Mr Rinehart added that dozens more charges would be filed before the investigation was over.
“These are just the first of many charges that will be filed,” he said to cheers and applause from the crowd gathered for the news conference on Tuesday. “I want to emphasise that. There will be more charges.”
If convicted, the seven murder counts alone would carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole, Mr Rinehart said.
The suspect, Robert Crimo, was accused of firing 70 bullets from a high-powered rifle down onto the crowd and disguising himself as a woman so he could escape alongside fleeing victims.
After an eight-hour manhunt on Monday, police arrested the gunman and he was discovered with a second rifle similar to the one used in the attack.
Three other firearms were also found at his home. Police said the suspect had two prior contacts with law enforcement but was still able to purchase five guns in the past year.
Illinois state police said that the suspect’s father sponsored his application for a firearm licence in December 2019, when he was just 19. But his uncle denied this in a statement to the Chicago Sun.
The parents requested privacy and expressed solidarity with the victims through a lawyer’s statement.
“We are all mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, and this is a terrible tragedy for many families, the victims, the parade-goers, the community, and our own,” it said.
In April 2019, police were called to the suspect’s home one week after he reportedly attempted to take his own life. And in September 2019, police were called by a family member who said he had made violent threats to “kill everyone”.
Police responded and seized 16 knives, a dagger and a sword from his home. He was not arrested and no further action was taken. -BBC
