Interesting Developments In The Highland Park Mass Shooting
Today’s a busy day for me, so I’ll need to keep this a bit sketchy—links rather than extended commentary.
First off, while we don’t know the details, WGN (Chicago) has reported that Robert E. Crimo III (the shooter) was “known to law enforcement.” At this point I’m not aware of further details:
TGP has a post on this, as well:
During a press conference earlier in the day, when law enforcement named the suspect, officials noted that Robert E. Crimo III was “known to law enforcement.” The statement was reported again by WGN9 in Chicago.
Local news radio is also reporting that Crimo was wearing a wig (a possibility suggested by commenter CTD) and women’s clothing at the time of the shootings and “fled through the crowd on foot” in his disguise and “borrowed a car” at his mother’s house. He was apparently driving his mother’s car when he was picked up. These snippets obviously beg for further explanation, the first of which is: How did “law enforcement” learn what car to look for? From the mother? If so, how did they know to ask Crimo’s mother? Eyewitnesses to his flight—or because Crimo was already “known to law enforcement”?
[Answer: ATF did an expedited search on the rifle.]
Yesterday, Sundance briefly commented: “Looks like a typical Antifa type.” That impression probably came from his appearance when arrested, including the all-in-black outfit. Now there appears to be confirmation of Crimo’s Prog/Left inclinations from social media. TGP has assembled those facts:
This is hardly surprising, of course, but takes on significance in the current political climate of violence—leading up to the midterm elections—that is being fomented by the Left, right up to the top levels. Crimo is hardly the only weirdo out there who could be influenced by the violent rhetoric. Moreover, in addition to the rhetoric, the extreme Left also propagates online resources for violent extremists. This doesn’t mean Crimo had “formal” ties to organizations—he could have been just a wannabe. On the other hand, there is that business of his being “known to law enforcement”.
[Red Flag laws for Leftist extremists?]
Will the FBI begin taking the violent Left seriously at some point?
Known to LE:
1) Possible suicide threat/attempt?
2) Possible threat with knife?
Not on any red flag list.
Ann Coulter: One gun control law I think we could all get behind is no guns for anyone with a face or neck tattoo.
A seventh person has died--victim of Leftist violence.