Yesterday police arrested Illinois man Robert Crimo III, and charged him of perpetrating the shooting that claimed six lives and injured at least 30 in Highland Park, Illinois, part of the Chicago metropolitan area.
Police have revealed that Crimo wore women’s clothing throughout the mass shooting, though his uncle – who he was living with – has told the media that Crimo’s behavior the day before the shooting was “normal” and not indicative the 22-year-old was planning a mass casualty event.
That man, Paul Crimo, described Robert Crimo as “lonely” and a “quiet person” who lived in an apartment behind his home. He that he did not typically “associate” with his family member, but rather would greet him when arriving at and leaving the home.
Police said he wore women’s clothing to obscure his facial tattoos and frustrate the manhunt.
“During the attack, Crimo was dressed in women’s clothing,” said police this morning, “investigators do believe he did this to conceal his facial tattoos and his identity and help him during the escape.”
He apparently went to his mother’s home while still dressed in woman’s clothing, then “borrowed” her vehicle.
Police say Crimo fired more than 70 shots into the crowd before fleeing the scene yesterday, blending in with the crowd. He then went to his mother’s home, which was “in the area,” and took her vehicle. Police later found that vehicle and were able to arrest Crimo.
“There were no warning signs. I saw him yesterday evening, when I went home I said ‘hi’ to him. Then when I came back downstairs I said ‘bye’. That was normal,” said Paul Crimo to Fox 32 Chicago. “I see no, nothing that would trigger him into doing this.”
“There’s no concerns that I’ve seen at all,” he added, but admitted that “I’ve never really been involved with him. We just say ‘hi’ and ‘bye.'”
Apparently, Robert Crimo II and Paul Crimo inherited the home from their father, and ultimately shared it with Robert Crimo III, who “had his own apartment in the back.” Paul Crimo seemed to suggest the father is currently living at the home. Still, he stressed that his interactions with his nephew were minimal.
“He has helped me around the house at times, and I saw no signs of trouble,” he said of his nephew. Asked what he did to occupy his time, Crimo responded, “He did go to college, and he was a YouTube rapper.”
“I just know that he’s on YouTube,” he added before noting that his nephew had been unemployed for around two years. “He’s also an artist, he was a good artist.”
Crimo was named as a suspect and eventually arrested yesterday after police were first leery of giving the public his name.
This morning police said their investigation is ongoing and more charges may be filed against Crimo depending on what police fine.
