WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own

Highland Park suspect contemplated second shooting in Madison; bond denied

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 07:50 AM PDT

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — The suspected gunman in a Fourth of July parade shooting "seriously contemplated" committing a second shooting in Madison after he left Highland Park — where he is accused of killing seven and wounding several others.

A judge denied bond on Wednesday for Robert "Bobby" Crimo III, 21, who was charged with seven counts of first-degree murder on Tuesday. Officials said he sprayed more than 70 rounds from a rooftop into a crowd attending a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. Prosecutors said he reloaded his weapon three times.

Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said if Crimo is convicted of the first-degree murder charges, he would receive a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. He promised that dozens more charges would be sought.

Crimo appeared in bond court virtually Wednesday morning where a bond was denied. Officials spoke at a press conference afterward and said a motive for the shooting is still unclear.

Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said while the motive for the mass shooting is still unknown, he said Crimo had some sort of affinity toward the numbers four and seven, and the inverse which is seven and four.

"When asked what the obsession with those number meant, he said it has something to do with the music he listens to," Covelli said.

Rinehart said after Crimo's arrest, he confessed to officials and admitted to the shooting.

In court, which was held virtually through Zoom, the suspect mainly looked down, only lifting his head when the case against him was read out loud.

WATCH: Prosecutor, police official speak after bond denied for alleged gunman

The attack happened at the downtown parade around 10:10 a.m. on the Fourth of July after shots were fired near Central Avenue and 2nd Street.

Officials said Crimo was wearing a dress and long-haired wig — possibly to hide his distinctive neck and face tattoos — and was able to blend into the crowd, posing as a bystander. After the shooting, he went to his mother's home where he took her car and left the area. He was caught after someone recognized him and phoned North Chicago police.

He was arrested on Route 41 in Lake County after several hours of being wanted. Police said Crimo was able to drive into Wisconsin and back into Illinois during the manhunt.

Covelli said their investigation revealed that when Crimo drove to Madison he saw a celebration there and contemplated using the firearm in his vehicle to commit another shooting.

Robert Crimo III | Lake County Major Crime Task Force

Crimo legally bought five weapons, including two high-powered rifles used in the shooting. Authorities said Tuesday that the purchases were allowed even though police were called to his home twice in 2019 for threats of violence and suicide.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Lake County Coroner's Office identified six of the seven victims. They are; Catherine Goldstein, 64, of Highland Park, Irina McCarthy, 35, of Highland Park, Kevin McCarthy, 37, of Highland Park, Jacki Sundheimm, 63, of Highland Park, Stephen Straus, 88, of Highland Park and Nicolas Toledo, 78, of Morales, Mexico.

The seventh victim was identifed Wednesday as 69-year-old Eduardo Uvaldo. He was pronounced dead around 7:45 a.m. that morning.

Anyone with any information, or anyone with video, is urged to call Highland Park police at 847-432-7730 or you can submit a tip to fbi.gov/highlandpark.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

These are the victims of the Highland Park parade shooting

Posted: 05 Jul 2022 08:58 AM PDT

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — Seven people were killed and at least 30 others wounded after a 21-year-old man opened fire on an Independence Day parade in Highland Park on Monday morning.

The attack happened around 10:10 a.m. after shots were fired near Central Avenue and 2nd Street. At a news conference, Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said it appeared the gunman opened fire on parade-goers from a rooftop using a high-powered rifle that was later recovered at the scene.

An hourslong manhunt ensued during which residents hunkered down in businesses or received police escorts to their homes. That ended with a traffic stop and brief chase Monday evening, when authorities detained a man they described as a person of interest.

Highland Park police chief said a police officer pulled over Robert E. Crimo III about 5 miles (8 kilometers) north of the shooting scene, several hours after police released the man's photo and warned that he was likely armed and dangerous. 

Five adults were pronounced dead at the scene and another person, whose age was not given, died at the hospital, the Lake County Coroner said. A seventh person died Tuesday, authorities confirmed.

Coroners have identified the seven victims:

  • Nicolas Toledo, who was 78 and visiting from Mexico, was shot and died at the scene. A GoFundMe page created in his honor describes him as "a father of eight and grandfather to many."
Nicolas Toledo (Family photo)
  • Jacki Sundheim, 63, of Highland Park, a lifelong congregant and "beloved" staff member at nearby North Shore Congregation Israel, was also killed. The congregation announced her death on its website. Sundheim's nephew described her as being one of the kindest people you'd ever meet.
Jacki Sundheim (North Shore Congregation Israel)
  • Catherine Goldstein, 64, of Highland Park
  • Irina McCarthy, 35, and Kevin McCarthy, 37, of Highland Park
Irina and Kevin McCarthy (Photo: GoFundMe)
  • Stephen Straus, 88, of Highland Park
  • Eduardo Uvaldo, 69, of Waukegan
Eduardo Uvaldo (Photo credit: GoFundMe)

Police have not provided a motive for the attack.

Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart, a Highland Park resident, announced Monday that Crimo is charged with seven counts of first-degree murder. Additional charges are pending. If convicted, the alleged gunman faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.  

"In the courtroom, we will seek the maximum sentence of this offender, not because we seek vengeance, but because justice and the healing process demand it," Rinehart said. "As we go forward in the courtroom and in the community, we must do everything we can to make sure the horrors that marked these streets, that echoed from these buildings, never happen again." 

NorthShore University Health Center received 26 patients after the attack. All but one had gunshot wounds, said Dr. Brigham Temple, medical director of emergency preparedness. Their ages ranged from 8 to 85, and Temple estimated that four or five were children.

The Chicago Teachers Union said Dever Elementary School teacher, Zoe Kolpack, and her husband were among the injured. Their two children were not hurt. A GoFundMe has been created in their honor to help cover medical expenses.

Anyone interested in donating to the people affected by the shooting, can go to: www.gofundme.com

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Over $2M raised for toddler whose parents were killed in Highland Park shooting

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 11:36 AM PDT

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — More than $2 million has been raised for a 2-year-old boy who lost both his parents during a mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois.

Irina McCarthy, 35, and Kevin McCarthy, 37, of Highland Park, were among the seven people killed in Monday's tragedy.

A couple at the parade helped 2-year-old Aiden get to safety while authorities were contacted. The boy was later reunited with his grandparents Monday evening.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Kevin McCarthy died while shielding Aiden from gunfire.

"At two years old, Aiden is left in the unthinkable position; to grow up without his parents," wrote Irina Colon on a GoFundMe account she created for the family and Aiden.

Friends of the McCarthys said Irina's parents would care for the boy going forward.

The GoFundMe fundraiser for Aiden was created Tuesday and had already raised more than $2 million as of Wednesday morning.

The other victims identified by the Lake County Coroner's Office include Katherine Goldstein, 64, of Highland Park; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63, of Highland Park; Stephen Straus, 88, of Highland Park, and Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78, of Morelos, Mexico.

Officials haven't yet identified the seventh victim.

Anyone interested in donating to the people affected by the shooting can go to www.gofundme.com.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Chicago Blackhawks release 2022-23 schedule

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 01:08 PM PDT

The Chicago Blackhawks have released the following:

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS ANNOUNCE 2022-23 SEASON SCHEDULE
Full 82-game slate begins on Oct. 12 in Colorado, home opener set for Oct. 21 vs. Detroit 

In conjunction with the National Hockey League, the Chicago Blackhawks announced today the team's 2022-23 regular-season schedule. The Blackhawks are set to begin the regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 12 as the team travels to Denver to take on the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Colorado Avalanche. Chicago will open the home portion of its schedule on Friday, Oct. 21 at the United Center against the Detroit Red Wings.

While single-game ticket information will be released at a later date, fans can now join the Blackhawks' new season ticket membership program. With options ranging from just five games to the full season, this new way to experience Blackhawks hockey improves the overall value of purchasing multi-game plans with better benefits and more flexibility. Fans can also sign up for the Blackhawks Priority Access List to be the first to receive ticket sales alerts and early presale access. For more information or to purchase a season ticket membership today, please visit Blackhawks.com/Tickets.

Highlights of the schedule include:

  • Central Division Matchups: Chicago will play four games each against Arizona, Dallas, Minnesota, St. Louis and Winnipeg (two home/two away), while playing three games each against Colorado (one home/two away) and Nashville (two home/one away).
  • Working for the Weekend: The United Center will host 19 games Friday through Sunday this season, including six on Friday, three on Saturday and 10 on Sunday.
  •  Home for the Holidays: The Blackhawks will play a three-game homestand following the Thanksgiving holiday from Nov. 25-30 and will host the Columbus Blue Jackets the day before Christmas Eve on Friday, Dec. 23.

NBC Sports Chicago, the official television broadcasting partner of the Blackhawks, will be the exclusive carrier of all local game broadcasts. All 82 Blackhawks games can also be heard on Chicago's WGN Radio 720. The complete broadcast schedule, including national games on ESPN and TNT, will also be announced at a later date.

Blackhawks 2022-2023 Schedule

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

How to talk to your kids about the Highland Park tragedy

Posted: 05 Jul 2022 05:50 PM PDT

Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. John Duffy joins Lisa Dent on Chicago's Afternoon News to discuss ways you can talk to your children about the tragedy that happened at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, and what warning signs you should look for if you think your child is at risk of becoming violent.

Follow Your Favorite Chicago's Afternoon News Personalities on Twitter:

Highland Park parade shooting witness describes aiding the wounded

Posted: 05 Jul 2022 05:21 PM PDT

Businessman and former football coach Brad Hokin joins Lisa Dent on Chicago's Afternoon News to share his account of what he witnessed when gunfire erupted from a rooftop during the July 4th parade that left seven dead and dozens injured.

Follow Your Favorite Chicago's Afternoon News Personalities on Twitter:

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: The Turkish origins of the 'deep state'

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 02:34 PM PDT

The Chicago Way w/John Kass (07/06/2022): On this edition, John Kass & Jeff Carlin are joined by John's younger brother Nicholas Spyridon Kass, a retired American diplomat with over 30-years of experience -focused on Aegean/Eastern Mediterranean issues, to offer some historical perspective on how republics struggle under strife and what lessons we can learn from attempted coups in Turkey. Check out more Kasso at JohnKassNews.com

Follow Everything John Kass - JohnKassNews.com

Download this episode here by using 'Save As' here
Subscribe to The Chicago Way

Wintrust Business Lunch 7/6/22 – Terry Savage: 401K statement shock

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 02:20 PM PDT

Segment 1: Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John to talk about what you should know before you look at your second quarter 401k retirement plan statement. And as always, Terry answers all of your financial questions.

Segment 2:  Bob Bland, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, LifeQuotes, tells John about what we should know about term life insurance rates, the differences between the various types of life insurance LifeQuotes offers, and a brand new level term to age 70 life insurance plan that asks no health questions.

John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part CCCXCVI, 7.6.22

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 02:02 PM PDT

John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com!

Wintrust Business Minute: Amazon purchased a small stake in Chicago's Grubhub

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 12:49 PM PDT

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

Amazon Prime members will soon have a tasty new benefit.  Amazon purchased a small stake in Chicago's Grubhub and will add the Grubhub-Plus service to its Amazon Prime program. Members in the U.S. will receive one year of free access to the service.  

Also, United Airlines is blaming the Federal Aviation Administration and the nation's air traffic control system for making travel troubles worse. Listen for more below: