By Debra Jones, Maggie Vespa and David K. Li -
NBC News
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill.
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On July 8, as memorial services and funerals began for some of the victims of the July 4th parade shooting in Highland Park, Ill., the suspect's uncle apologized on behalf of his family.
Paul Crimo said he still couldn't believe his nephew is accused of shooting seven people to death in this affluent Chicago suburb.
"We're so sorry, we're so sorry," Paul Crimo told NBC News as he left the home he shared with the suspect and his father.
A few hours before the Highland Park attack, the killer spoke to his father about a recent shooting.
July 7, 202202:18
"I couldn't even believe it. It's very difficult, it's very difficult. I didn't sleep and my whole life changed," he said.
The suspect was arrested hours after the deadly attack that left dozens injured.
[Father of Suspected Highland Park Killer Says He 'Didn't Know It Was Going to Happen' But Could End Up Before Judge, Too]
The alleged shooter was under 21 in 2020 when he purchased an AR-15-style rifle that he allegedly used in Monday's attack, a purchase he was only able to make because his father sponsored his firearms owners ID application.
For now it is unknown if the suspect's father could be charged with any crime and which.
A lawyer for the parents of the alleged culprit in the shooting announced Thursday that he no longer represents them, citing a conflict he did not elaborate on.
The Highland Park shooter confessed that he was going to commit another massacre in Wisconsin on July 4
July 7, 202201:54
"It is my hope that at some point this terrible tragedy will bring about meaningful change," attorney Steve Greenberg said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the massacre continues to affect the rescue teams and the authorities who participated in rescuing the victims.
"For this to have happened here, it hurts all of our officers," said the city's police chief, Louis Jogmen.
[A boy was found alone and bloodied after the Chicago shooting. The police searched for his parents but they were already dead]
The agent said that morning started as a celebration, as he handed out baseball cards to young people during the parade for the 4th of July.
Days later, the mother of one of those children told Jogmen that the chance encounter saved her life because "it set her and her child back" and so they weren't in the line of fire.
Highland Park Fire Chief Joe Schrage said his team's training in trauma care was crucial to saving lives that day.
Authorities had seized a collection of knives from the Highland Park shooter in 2019
July 7, 202202:15
"One of the most important things in having a viable trauma victim, especially with a penetrating injury, is to stop the bleeding," he said.
A single firefighter made about 15 turnstiles, according to the chief.
"Those people probably had a chance right away. I think we saved every viable victim that was there," he said.
A vigil in Highland Park, Illinois, on July 7, 2022.Getty Images
Funerals were held on Friday for three of the victims: Stephen Straus, 88, Jacki Sundheim, 63, and Nicolás Toledo-Zaragoza, 78. A memorial service will be held on Saturday for Eduardo Uvaldo, 69. years.
[Suspect's YouTube channel showed the parade route and a simulation of the shooting]
Details of the funerals of the remaining victims have not been released.