Highland Park Shooting: New Details Reveal Gunman Was a Depressed Drug User, Once Threatened to “Kill Everyone”

New Details have come out about Robert "Bobby" Crimo III, the gunman in the Highland Park shooting during a 4th of July parade. The 21-year-old killed a total of seven people and severely wounded two dozen others.

It was found out that three years ago, Crimo had already admitted to police that he was a depressed teenage drug user who had threatened to kill everyone in his family. According to released documents, Crimo was already flagged as a "clear and present danger" in 2019, when he still was only 18.

Robert Crimo III's Family Already Reported That He Threatened To Kill Everyone

The document also showed that police were called into his home in Highland Park for a well-being check. A relative reported Crimo because he stated he was going to kill everyone, according to the New York Post.

According to the relative, whose name was redacted, they were afraid to go back home because of Crimo's threats to them. The relative also noted that the then-18-year-old also had a collection of knives in his bedroom. His father, Robert Crimo Jr., confirmed to police that his son was indeed the owner of the knife collection.

When the police arrived, they would ask Crimo some questions, with his mother, Denise Pesina, present during the questioning. There, he admitted to having depression and a history of drug use. The report did not explain which drugs he used at that time.

During the visit by police, the report noted that he and his mother were "not forthcoming as to the language he used." This is despite a relative being too scared to come home because of Crimo's threats.

The father did hand over the knife collection, which included 16 knives, a 12-inch dagger, and a Samurai-type blade. However, the father picked up the knife collection from the police precinct just four hours after the initial call.

The officers asked the then-18-year-old if he wanted to harm himself or others. To this, he simply answered, "No." The local police still found him a "Clear and Present Danger" in their report filed after the questioning.

Robert Crimo III Admits to the Shooting

Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart told the media that Crimo admitted to carrying out the shooting. He also noted that Crimo admitted to the crime voluntarily, was read his Miranda warnings, and offered attorneys. He also admitted that he was also planning a second attack.

Crimo planned out his actions very carefully, according to CBS News. He waited for the parade to come by and opened fire with a high-powered rifle. He then discreetly escaped by dressing up as a woman to throw off investigators. He blended in with the crowd and escaped to his mother's home. Police found him eight hours later, and after a brief chase, they captured and arrested him.

CBS News also reported that investigators were able to identify Crimo through a combination of different methods, including videos from the attack and the expedited tracing of the recovered rifle, which was connected by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to the suspect.

Crimo, who went by the stage name Awake the Rapper, had a YouTube channel as well. However, that channel had since been taken down. The channel had videos of his hometown, as well as animated videos featuring gun violence. The police are currently reviewing his videos, according to CBS News.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Who is Robert Crimo III? - FOX 5 New York