Chicago-area shooting suspect Crimo ‘researched beheadings,’ will plead not guilty

Robert E. Crimo III will plead not guilty to all charges when he appears in court later today for the first time since allegedly opening fire on a parade in a Chicago suburb, killing seven, his attorney says.

And officials poring through hjis online posting say he researched violent acts, including beheadings, online before the shooting.

Crimo was charged with seven counts of murder Tuesday in the shooting that sent hundreds of marchers, parents and children fleeing in fear and set off an hours-long manhunt in and around Highland Park, an affluent community on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart promised Tuesday that dozens more charges would be sought. He added that the suspect, if convicted of the murder charges, would receive a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Asked about his client’s emotional state, prominent Chicago-based lawyer Thomas A. Durkin says he has spoken to Crimo only once — for 10 minutes by phone. He declined to comment further.

Crimo, who goes by the name Bobby, was an aspiring rapper with the stage name Awake the Rapper, posting on social media dozens videos and songs, some ominous and violent.

Federal agents were reviewing Crimo’s online profiles, and a preliminary examination of his internet history indicated that he had researched mass killings and had downloaded multiple photos depicting violent acts, including a beheading, a law enforcement official says on condition of anonymity.