The Highland Park shooting was one of the more recent attacks on a mass group of people expecting a normal day at a parade. On Independence Day, there was a shooting at the 4th of July parade where many parents brought their children out to enjoy the holiday as a family. It was not their expectation to be in chaos and to be shot at during a beautiful day.
The incident resulted in multiple casualties. Children lost their parents and vice versa amid extreme and unnecessary chaos. One child lost both his parents and has now been left to reside with his grandparents. The child was young and had no idea of what occurred, but because of someone’s decision, he will now be forced to grow up without both parents.
Such a tragic event this was to experience for so many individuals who had probably never heard a gun go off before. Children will probably remember this day when they were forced into cars and experienced people running and screaming because of paralyzing fear.
The good thing is that he did not escape. He will pay the consequences for the crimes that were committed against these people. There is evidence against him so it should not be easy for him to get off. A situation like this could be considered terrorism and the consequences of the crime should be treated as such.
As time progressed, sources have said that he has pleaded not guilty to his crimes. “Highland Park, Illinois, shooting suspect Robert Crime III on Wednesday pleaded not guilty in a Lake County courtroom to fatally shooting seven people and injuring dozens of others at a Fourth of July parade in the town located about an hour north of Chicago,” according to Fox News. Many individuals would consider this situation crazy considering he pled not guilty when there is hard evidence against him.
The community has suffered enough knowing that some have lost their family members and this traumatic experience could hurt them forever. It would only make things worse if the shooter is not held accountable for his actions.
Highland Park Mayor, Nancy Rotering, informed reporters that the firearm used by the alleged gunman was legally purchased, according to CNN. With this gun being purchased legally, this does not excuse the fact that it was used in a random form. There was no proof of self-defense involved in the incident.
So this situation of the gun being legally purchased should not be any validation for his actions because the gun did not control him, but instead, he controlled the gun and chose to point it at a group of people celebrating the 4th. His father allowed him to get a FOID card at the age of 19 which allowed him to purchase a firearm, but now regrets the decision because of the incident and just like these families have been broken, he has been broken too.
There is no justification for these actions and everyone involved has to suffer. While he is on trial, many are hopefully things could be put on track and the victims can get some sort of justice. People should never have to fear for their lives when they are trying to enjoy them. They don’t need their children in tragic situations like this.
Written by Michael Williams
Edited by Sheena Robertson
Sources:
Fox News: Highland Park shooting suspect Robert Crimo pleads not guilty
CNN:What we know about the Highland Park shooting
Chicago Tribune: Highland Park shooting: Man accused of killing 7 people at July Fourth parade pleads not guilty
Featured Image Courtesy of David Ellis’ Flickr Page Creative Common License
Inset Image Courtesy of [DV8] David Patrick Valera’s Flickr page Creative Common License
