In a shocking development, Robert Crimo Jr, the father of the man accused of carrying out a mass murder at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, has pleaded guilty to reckless conduct for assisting his son in obtaining the weapon allegedly used in the attack. The case has raised concerns about the responsibility of parents in cases involving individuals with a history of mental illness and threats of violence.

Crimo Jr, who sponsored a firearms ownership card for his son, Robert Crimo III, despite being aware of his son's troubled past, has been sentenced to 60 days in jail, two years of probation, and 100 hours of community service in a plea deal. This deal also ensures that the younger Crimo's trial defense will not be jeopardized by potential evidence introduced during his father's trial.

The Crimo household had previously attracted the attention of law enforcement, with police being called to the residence at least twice in 2019. On one occasion, Robert Crimo III had attempted suicide, while on another, he had threatened to kill family members. Though knives were confiscated during these incidents, no charges were filed at the time.

Despite these alarming incidents, Crimo Jr decided to sponsor his son's firearms ownership card several months later. At the time of obtaining the card, the younger Crimo was 19 years old, making parental permission necessary for him to acquire it.

It has now been revealed that Crimo III used the firearms ownership card to purchase several guns over the span of several years. This included the weapon police believe he used to carry out the deadly attack, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuring numerous others during the holiday parade in Highland Park on July 4, 2022.

Prosecutions of parents in cases involving alleged mass shooters are rare but are garnering increased attention. Notably, the parents of a teenager responsible for a shooting in Michigan that claimed the lives of four classmates will stand trial on charges of involuntary manslaughter next year. Furthermore, an Illinois man who provided his son with a rifle used in a mass shooting in Tennessee was sentenced to 18 months in prison earlier this year.

In the case of Robert Crimo Jr, his guilty plea comes after a last-minute deal with prosecutors. Prior to this agreement, he had been scheduled to stand trial on seven reckless conduct charges, each carrying a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

Speaking on behalf of his client, defense attorney George Gomez emphasized that the plea deal was reached in the best interests of the community and the younger Crimo's trial defense. Gomez stated that Crimo Jr did not want the Highland Park community to relive the tragic events and turn them into a public spectacle.

The set date for Robert Crimo III's trial is expected to be determined later this year, as the community grapples with the aftermath of the devastating July 4th attack. This case serves as a stark reminder of the complex issues surrounding access to firearms and the responsibility of parents in ensuring the safety of their children and the wider community.