Life term for man who carried out Chicago mass shooting

A judge in the United States has sentenced a 24-year-old man to life in prison without the possibility of parole for a mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in Chicago that killed seven people.

Robert Crimo III pleaded guilty to seven counts of first-degree murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery in March shortly before his trial was set to begin for the attack.

More than 40 people were injured in the shooting in the suburb of Highland Park.

Crimo was sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences by Judge Victoria Rossetti.

"This court hopes this sentence brings a sense of justice and an end to the continued horror," she said.

Crimo was accused of climbing out the roof of a building in Highland Park, 40km north of Chicago, and opening fire on spectators and participants at a 4th of July parade in 2022.

A synagogue teacher, a Mexican grandfather, and the parents of a two-year-old child were among the victims.

The injured ranged in age from their 80s to an eight-year-old boy who was left partially paralysed.

Witnesses described confusion as the shots began, followed by panic as families fled the parade route to find safety inside nearby businesses or homes.

Crimo confessed to the attack, according to prosecutors.

The trial came almost two years after his father's case focusing on how his son obtained a gun licence.

In 2019, when he was 19, Crimo was only allowed to apply for a licence with the sponsorship of a parent or guardian.

His father agreed, even though a relative had reported to police that his son had a collection of knives and had threatened to "kill everyone".

Crimo’s father, Robert Crimo Jnr, pleaded guilty in 2023 to seven counts of reckless conduct.