Highland Park shooting: Suspect confessed, considered 2nd attack in Wisconsin [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The Highland Park shooting suspect confessed to opening fire from a rooftop at the Fourth of July parade in Illinois.
• After the shooting, the 21-year-old gunman said he drove to Madison, Wisconsin, where he considered carrying out a second attack.
• Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said Robert Crimo III did not carry out the second attack because he hadn’t planned enough. 

The 21-year-old suspect in the Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, confessed to opening fire from a rooftop, targeting parade-goers.

After the shooting, Robert “Bobby” Crimo III drove toward Madison, Wisconsin, where he considered carrying out a second attack, according to police. 

During Wednesday’s press briefing, Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said the suspect “seriously contemplated using the firearm he had in his vehicle to commit another shooting” after coming across a celebration in Madison.

Crimo ultimately chose to turn around and drive back to Illinois instead because he hadn’t fully planned an attack there.

Covelli added that the suspect said he dumped his cellphone in Middleton, Wisconsin, and was later recovered by the FBI.

Crimo was formally charged with seven counts of first-degree murder on Wednesday at a bond hearing in Lake County, Illinois circuit court. Prosecutors have said to expect “dozens” more charges brought against the suspect.

“Many more charges coming in the coming weeks,” Eric Rinehart, the Lake County State Attorney, said at the press conference. He added that all of the charges will likely be released at the same time.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Ben Dillon said Crimo provided a voluntary statement confessing to his actions when he was questioned by police. He looked down the sights of the rifle, aimed, and opened fire at people across the street from the rooftop during the parade, Dillon said during Crimo’s bond hearing.

Crimo confessed to firing a full 30-round magazine, reloading, firing another full 30-round magazine, reloading again, and continuing to fire, according to Dillon.

Crimo is being held without bail or bond at Lake County Jail. Judge Theodore S. Potkonjak said he is a “present threat to the community,”during the suspect’s bond hearing on Wednesday.

Police believe Crimo had been planning the massacre for weeks. They said no motive is known at this time.

Police said the “shooting appears to be completely random” when asked by reporters if the shooter targeted anyone specifically.

Crimo will remain in jail until his next hearing date on July 28.

Source: CBS News