Alleged Highland Park parade shooter rejects plea deal as victims look on: ‘Absolute unadulterated evil’

The accused killer in the Highland Park 4th of July shooting made a surprise reversal Wednesday and refused to go along with the guilty plea his attorneys had worked out, disappointing victims and families who hope to see him locked away for life.

Prosecutors said Robert Crimo III had agreed to plead guilty to seven counts of murder, one for each fatality, and 48 counts of aggravated battery, one for each victim who was injured but survived the 2022 shooting.

Read more of Robert McPoppin and Clifford Ward's reporting in the Chicago Tribune and the Lake County News-Sun.