In a shocking turn of events, the father of the suspected mass shooter in Highland Park, Illinois, has pleaded guilty to reckless conduct instead of proceeding with his trial. Robert Crimo Jr. faced seven counts of reckless conduct for his alleged involvement in helping his son, Robert Crimo III, obtain a firearm.

Authorities accused Crimo Jr. of signing the Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card for his then 19-year-old son, who was prohibited from getting one on his own due to his age. At the time, Illinois required individuals aged 18-20 to have parental or guardian authorization for gun ownership.

Crimo Jr., who was arrested in December 2022, initially opted for a bench trial that was scheduled to commence on Monday. However, he ultimately chose to accept a plea deal.

Under the terms of the agreement, Crimo Jr. will serve a 60-day jail sentence and be subject to two years of probation. Crimo Jr.'s attorney, George Gomez, stated that his client decided to plead guilty in order to avoid further public scrutiny and to prevent his family from enduring additional emotional turmoil.

Gomez emphasized that Crimo Jr., being a member of the Highland Park community, is adamant about not wanting the tragic events to be relived and turned into a public spectacle.

Meanwhile, Crimo Jr.'s son, Robert Crimo III, is currently facing charges of murdering seven people and injuring numerous others during the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park in 2022. He has entered a plea of not guilty, and a trial date has yet to be determined.

In an interview with ABC News shortly after the shooting, Crimo Jr. maintained that he had simply filled out the consent form required for his son to undergo the process of obtaining a FOID card. He stated that the Illinois State Police conduct thorough background checks before approving or denying the application.

Crimo Jr. clarified that his involvement was solely limited to signing the consent form, emphasizing that he had not purchased guns for his son in the past. He asserted that his son had gone through the entire process independently.

The plea deal accepted by Crimo Jr. marks a significant development in the legal proceedings surrounding the tragic Highland Park parade shooting. As the case continues, the community and the families affected by the devastating events await further updates.