Fourth of July mass shooting suspect changes plea to guilty on day 1 of trial

• The man accused of opening fire at a parade in suburban Chicago in 2022 has changed his plea to guilty, marking a sudden end to his murder trial. Robert Crimo III pleaded guilty to all 69 counts of murder and attempted murder.
• Seven people were killed and dozens of others were injured in the shooting.
• Crimo’s sentencing is set for April.

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Just moments before opening arguments, the man accused in the 2022 Fourth of July deadly mass shooting at a parade in a Chicago suburb unexpectedly pleaded guilty. Robert Crimo III, 24, appeared in a courtroom Monday, March 3, where he withdrew his previous not-guilty plea in connection with the mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, which killed seven people and injured dozens of others.

Crimo is accused of firing into the crowd from a rooftop overlooking the parade, before leaving the scene, which led to a massive manhunt.

Authorities arrested Crimo hours later while he was driving his mother’s car.

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What just happened in court?

Crimo pleaded guilty to 21 counts of first-degree murder, three counts for each person killed, along with 48 counts of attempted murder charges.

Prosecutors said nearly all of the 48 survivors from that day planned to testify. Many have since filed lawsuits against gun manufacturers and law enforcement for alleged negligence.

Prosecutors also turned over thousands of pages of evidence, along with hours of videotaped interrogation, where police say Crimo confessed to the shooting.

He rejected a plea deal last year.

What happens next?

Crimo is expected to get life in prison with no possibility of parole.

A sentencing is scheduled for April 23.