Robert E. Crimo ‘wore women’s clothes a YEAR before fleeing Highland Park shooting disguised in a wig,’ uncle says

THE alleged Highland Park mass shooter "wore women's clothes at least once in the past" before it emerged that he fled the July 4 massacre wearing a wig, The Sun can exclusively reveal.

Paul Crimo recalled seeing his nephew, Robert E. Crimo III, dressed in girl's clothing about a year before the 22-year-old allegedly fired 70 shots into a crowded parade - but he didn't understand why.

“I’m shocked ... It’s too much to process," Paul said from his car - hours after it emerged that a seventh victim had died as a result of the Independence Day shooting in Illinois.

"There were no warning signs. Nothing that I saw.”

Paul said he didn't know why Robert dressed as a woman and still doesn't understand why he would open fire on a crowd of innocent bystanders.

When asked if he had a message for anyone who was reading, Crimo's grief-stricken uncle apologized to the families who were impacted.

“I feel bad for all the families. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families," he said.

"I’m heartbroken for all of them. I’ll forever be heartbroken.”

Paul Crimo added that he knew Robert had YouTube and social media accounts but didn't know the content of what was on them.

It was announced by Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart that 22-year-old Crimo is now charged with seven counts of first-degree murder and will be facing "dozens" more.

"These are just the first of many charges filed against Mr. Crimo," Rinehart said Tuesday evening.

"We anticipate dozens more charges."

Rinehart also said the seven counts of first-degree murder will lead to a mandatory life sentence, if convicted, without the possibility of parole.

"We will seek the maximum sentence against this offender."

On Wednesday, Rinehart will ask a judge to hold Crimo without bail.

"We must do everything we can to make sure that the horror that marked these streets never happens again."

PARADE HORROR

Gunshots rang out just 10 minutes after the start of a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois - about 25 miles north of Chicago.

Beach chairs, baby strollers, backpacks, and blankets were found strewn across the parade grounds as revelers sought cover.

Highland Park police believed the shooter scaled a ladder in an alley to access the roof of a business and then proceeded to open fire at parade-goers.

“He was very discreet and very difficult to see,” Lake County Major Crimes Task Force spokesman Chris Covelli said.

Authorities recovered a "high-powered rifle" believed to have been used in the mass shooting.

The suspect's motive appeared to be random, investigators said before they named Crimo as the person of interest.

"By all means, at this point, this appears to be completely random," Covelli said.

The Lake County coroner's office said five victims, all adults, were declared dead at the scene, while a sixth victim died at a local hospital.

Tuesday afternoon, it was announced that a seventh person had died following the shooting.

SUSPECTED SHOOTER

Crimo was captured following an hours-long manhunt after he allegedly opened fire at parade-goers on Monday.

He was arrested when cops hunted down the silver Honda Fit that he was driving - hours after the deadly sniper attack at the parade.

Footage shared online shows the 22-year-old suspect being held down and cuffed by police just outside of Chicago.

He was seen with his face on the ground as cops swooped in on him.

The capture comes after the alleged gunman was spotted around 6.30 pm local time on Monday when officers tried to stop him - but he sped away, prompting a brief pursuit before he came to a stop.

He was taken into custody “without incident" and charges are pending as police continue to investigate.

The FBI put out an alert about Crimo, detailing his appearance and tattoos as they appealed for information.

Crimo posted videos on a YouTube channel that has since been terminated due to violating community guidelines.

Several of these videos contained music created by him, along with disturbing videos to accompany the tracks.

In 2019, the amateur rapper's father, Bob Crimo, ran a mayoral campaign in the neighborhood with the slogan, “A Person for the People,” however, he was unsuccessful, reported Fox News.