Update (2330ET): Robert Crimo III was taken into custody Monday evening following a shooting in Highland Park, Illinois that left at least six people dead and over two dozen injured despite having among the strictest gun-safety laws in the country.
He is currently being referred to as a “person of interest” while Highland Park Police question him.
The 22-year-old was apprehended without incident in nearby Lake Forest.
Law enforcement currently circling and inspecting vehicle driven by person of interest, 22-yo Robert “Bobby” Crimo III
He’s now in custody related to #HighlandPark parade mass shooting that killed at least 6
LIVE NOW: https://t.co/vEMDs0BRQH | @cbschicagopic.twitter.com/kHdev8CGSy
— Marissa Parra (@MarParNews) July 5, 2022
Crimo has somewhat of a large internet footprint – performing online as “Awake the Rapper,” while IMDB describes Crimo as a “six foot Hip hop phenom” born on Sept. 20, 2000. “He’s the middle child of three and of Italian descent,” Fox News reports.
Crimo began uploading his music to the internet at age 11, but first gained traction with his 2016 track “By The Pond” featuring Atlas, according to IMDB. His estimated net worth is “$100 thousand.”
Crimo is the son of Bob Crimo, president at Bob’s Pantry & Deli in Highland Park. According to his Facebook account, the father ran for Highland Park mayor in 2020.
The rapper released a cryptic track called “Are You Awake” on Oct. 15, 2021. The track appears to suggest that Crimo was planning a life-defining act beyond his ability to stop. The video includes drawings of a man aiming a rifle at another person. -Fox News
A screenshot from Robert “Bobby” Crimo’s youtube video “Are You Awake”. This was premeditate. What a sick individual. pic.twitter.com/tYJRjoSIQz
— xen (@itssxen) July 4, 2022
The suspect in the Highland Park shooting, Robert Crimo III, posted multiple disturbing videos on YouTube with violent imagery.
"Like a sleepwalker unable to stop and think, my actions will be valiant. And my thought is unnecessary. I know what I have to do." pic.twitter.com/CROskei1Vh
— steven monacelli (@stevanzetti) July 4, 2022
He also “liked” several tweets endorsing the arrest of “every Congressmember who helped organize January 6th,” suggesting he’s a leftist.
On the other hand:
Crimo’s Instagram, **, Twitter, YouTube and other social media platforms have taken down his material.
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Update (2010ET): Robert Cremo III, the suspect in Monday’s deadly shooting at the Highland Park, IL 4th of July parade, has been taken into custody according to CBS Chicago.