What we currently know about the Highland Park shooting suspect

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By stefan armitage

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Yesterday, six people were killed and dozens more injured in Highland Park, Illinois, after a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop during the town's Fourth of July celebrations.

The attack not only spark panic in the area, but also led to an intense manhunt across the Chicagoland area after 21-year-old Robert "Bobby" E. Crimo III was named as "a person of interest" in connection to the massacre.

This is everything we know about Crimo so far...

On July 4, members of the public were lining the streets of the suburban town of Highland Park - about 28 miles north of Chicago - as Independence Day festivities were underway.

However, shortly after 10:00AM, a gunman opened fire from the rooftop of a nearby business, CNN reports.

Christopher Covelli, a spokesperson for the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, says that the gunman gained access to the rooftop by using a ladder that descended into an alley at the side of the building.

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Covelli added that the attack was "intentional" with the gunman's victims being "random".

The FBI later revealed that officers were looking for Crimo, adding: "He is being sought for his alleged involvement in the shooting of multiple individuals at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois."

He was apprehended by police near Lake Forest, Illinois, after a North Chicago police officer attempted a traffic stop. A brief chase ensued shortly after.

Per CNN, Covelli revealed that law enforcement officials "processed a significant amount of digital evidence" that "helped lead investigators" to Crimo. "This individual is believed to have been responsible for what happened and the investigation will continue," Covelli added.

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Crimo is yet to be formally charged in the shooting - but is being referred to by authorities as a "suspect".

Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering told CNN on Tuesday that she believes the "high-powered rifle" that was found at the scene of the shooting was purchased legally.

A spokesperson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is reportedly working to trace the weapon's origins.

As for Crimo, there have been several reports about his online activity that have since revealed that he shared music to multiple streaming platforms under the pseudonym Awake the Rapper.

The Washington Post describes Crimo as being "like many internet performers, with a modest following, amateur music videos on YouTube and tracks on Spotify".

Crimo's online music videos featured animated scenes of gun violence and ominous lyrics.

Per The Washington Post, in one video, Crimo says: "I hate when others get more attention than me on the internet."

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Credit: ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy

In another, a person believed to be Crimo can be seen in a set that appears to resemble a school classroom. "I need to leave now, I need to just do it. It is my destiny. Everything has led up to this; nothing can stop me, not even myself," the voiceover says.

CNN states that in one video, titled 'Are You Awake', an animated stick-figure resembling Crimo can be seen wearing tactical gear and carrying a rifle. "I need to just do it. It is my destiny," the voiceover states.

A similar stick-figure can be seen in a video titled 'Toy Soldier', and shows armed police surrounding the figure while it lies in a pool of blood.

NBC News adds that Crimo also had a Discord page, that allowed him to talk with fans and followers. In his most recent post prior to Monday's shooting, Crimo shared an image of Budd Dwyer - the Pennsylvania state treasurer who infamously shot and killed himself on live television in January 1987.

"I wish politicians still gave speeches like this," the caption reads.

Mayor Rotering told NBC's Hoda Kotb on Today that the online posts "[reflect] a plan and a desire to commit carnage for a long time in advance.

She continued: "It's one of those things where you step back and you say, 'What happened? How did somebody become this angry and hateful.' To then take it out on innocent people who literally were just having a family day out?"

The suspect's uncle has also spoken to CNN and provided more details about Crimo.

Paul A. Crimo revealed that the suspect lived in an apartment behind a house in Highwood, Illinois, which is owned by his dad.

The uncle added that he last saw his nephew on Sunday, and said "everything was normal".

"There were no signs that I saw that would make him do this," Paul Crimo said, adding that he was "heartbroken" to see his nephew associated with the massacre.

Describing his nephew as a "quiet" person, Paul Crimo added that he did not know if the suspect had a job prior to his arrest, but said that he did work at Panera Bread prior to the pandemic.

The uncle added that he's never seen Crimo behave violently, and was unaware of any political views.

"I'm so heartbroken for all the families who lost their lives," the uncle added.

Our thoughts continue to go out to all of those affected by this horrible tragedy.

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