“I support him 100 percent — I think he did the right thing,” Paul Crimo told CNN of his brother, the gunman’s father, Robert Crimo Jr. The uncle admitted he was “certain” his brother “knew” his son had been investigated for threatening to “kill everyone” in 2019, just two months before he backed the shooter’s successful bid to start buying guns while he was still only 19. The would-be shooter had confessed to cops at the time that he was a depressed drug user — and had been labeled a “clear and present danger.” However, the dad soon endorsed his son’s Firearms Owners Identification (FOID) card and also took 16 knives, a 12-inch dagger and a 24-inch Samurai sword that officers had seized. Authorities have not ruled out charges against Robert Crimmo Jr., the dad who sponsored his future son’s FOID card, which allowed him to buy guns. Twitter / @CrimoBob In his interview, Crimo’s uncle dismissed the warning signs about his nephew, who has shared disturbing videos and artwork of guns and gunshots. Paul Crimo told CNN he “100%” supports his brother helping his son buy guns, saying, “I think he did the right thing” — even though he “wouldn’t have done it” himself. CNN “People recover quickly … maybe he recovered quickly and he was in good shape at the time,” he said of his nephew and the 2019 threats. He argued that his brother probably “didn’t see any problem when he signed” the FOID card that allowed his namesake to start buying guns, including the Smith & Wesson M&P 15 he used to fire more than 80 rounds during the local 4th of July parade. killing seven and injuring dozens. However, “if it were me, no, I wouldn’t … I probably wouldn’t sign it,” the uncle said, flustered when asked to explain why. “I think the law needs to be tightened,” he said. Despite his “100%” support for his brother and complete denial of any concern about his nephew owning guns, Crimo has repeatedly blamed Illinois laws for the would-be shooter’s gun-buying spree. “If someone has a threat to their life, if someone is suicidal or if someone is depressed … the state should look at that and not give the person a FOID card,” he said of the concerns he justified to his brother that he was unaware of. Police say Robert Crimo III has confessed to the July 4 shooting, for which he has been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder. via REUTERS He noted how his nephew “passed four background checks,” calling it proof that he “seemed fit” to own a gun. “If he looked unfit, then he would never have gotten the FOID card,” she said, reiterating that “the laws need to be tougher.” Authorities have not yet ruled out possible charges against the attacker’s father, who also faces possible civil liability. But he insisted in an exclusive interview with The Post this week that he had “zero” responsibility. Crimo has been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder, which would carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Police have warned that the death toll could rise, with many of the dozens injured in Monday’s mass shooting remaining in critical condition.TNS “There will be many, many more charges,” said Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, pledging to pursue attempted murder and aggravated battery charges for each person injured. Some of the injured remained in hospital in critical condition and the death toll could rise, police warned. Mourners react at a memorial.Getty Images
