January 1, Police: Gunman Wore Women’s Clothing to Blend In With Crowd

Police say that the suspect in the mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, wore women’s clothing during the shooting to blend in.

The suspect, 21-year-old Robert “Bobby” Crimo III, is accused of injuring more than two dozen and killing seven. Police said the shooter accessed the roof from a fire escape ladder.

According to authorities, Crimo wore women’s clothing during the shooting to hide his facial tattoos and blend in with the crowd to flee the scene.

“Following the attack, Crimo exited the roof, he dropped his rifle, and he blended in with the crowd, and he escaped,” police said Tuesday. “He walked to his mother’s home, who lived in the area, and he blended right in with everybody else.”

ABC News reported that police said the motive is unknown. When reporters asked the authorities if the gunman had any particular target, police said the “shooting appears to be completely random.”

The suspect was at large for hours after the shooting. Crimo was spotted driving and led officers on a brief pursuit, police said.

Police said Crimo was stopped at U.S. Highway 41 and Westleigh Road in Lake Forest, Illinois, where he surrendered. Authorities say they found a second weapon in the car.