Will County Gazette

State Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) is urging well wishes for the people of Highland Park.

“Please continue to keep Highland Park in your prayers today in the wake of the senseless violence that shook the community and our state yesterday,” Batinick immediately posted on Facebook in the aftermath of the senseless July 4 shooting that left seven people dead and dozens more injured.

 “Our hearts are with the families of the victims, survivors, and witnesses,” he added.

Police have since charged 22-year-old Robert “Bobby” Crimo with opening fire from a nearby rooftop on a crowd gathered for the holiday parade. ABC7 news reports he later evaded capture for hours before being taken into custody by law enforcement in nearby Lake Forest.  

Prior to the attack, Fox News reports Crimo posted "disturbing" videos on his YouTube channel, including describing and depicting mass shootings.

Lake County Major Crime Task Force member Chris Covelli later told Fox that Crimo had been planning the Highland Park shooting for weeks. Covelli also implored the public to immediately notify law enforcement whenever they see social media posts of a similar nature.

NBC News reports Crimo now faces seven counts of first degree murder, with more charges likely to come.

With the community still reeling and in mourning from the incident, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering recently released the following statement: "This is a terribly difficult day, and the bloodiest that we have experienced in Highland Park. We are fortunate to be supported by our law enforcement community and Federal, State, County and local government officials who have all offered resources as we work to apprehend the perpetrator and protect Highland Park and nearby communities. ... Our community, like so many before us, is devastated. It’s impossible to imagine the pain of this kind of tragedy until you’re confronted with it. Gun violence - a mass shooting such as this casts a much wider net of agony than what the public is typically exposed to; it’s a crisis that devastates entire families and communities in a single moment and we know will take time to heal. Again, I want to extend my thanks to the people and resources who are moving this investigation forward and we all look forward to bringing this individual to justice. On behalf of the City of Highland Park, our hearts are broken for the victims and their families. As we always do, we will support each other. We are Highland Park strong."