New data released by police is shedding more light on the suspect behind a deadly July 4th shooting in suburban Chicago.
According to reports, the gunman’s father allegedly helped him obtain firearms despite previous violent threats against himself and his family.
“The father of the 21-year-old man charged with killing seven people when he allegedly unleashed a hail of bullets on an Independence Day parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park sponsored his son’s firearm owners identification card two and half years ago despite two instances of police being called to their home over threatening behavior,” reports Fox News.
“The subject was under 21 and the application was sponsored by the subject’s father,” Illinois State Police said. “Therefore, at the time of FOID application review in January of 2020, there was insufficient basis to establish a clear and present danger and deny the FOID application.”
“In order to purchase a gun legally in Illinois, one has to possess a FOID card. That’s a process that is solely managed through the state police. I’m not able to speak to that process,” added the agency.
“Additionally and importantly, the father claimed the knives were his, and they were being stored in the individual’s closet for safekeeping,” state police said. “Based upon that information, the Highland Park Police returned the knives to the father later that afternoon.”
Read the full report here.