The father of the 21-year-old suspected gunman in Monday's Highland Park mass shooting could be held criminally liable in relation to the attack, an expert said.
This week, police said the man helped his son legally obtain several weapons, including the high-powered rifle allegedly used in the assault.
"There's no question that [the father] could be held criminally liable," Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and president of West Coast Trial Lawyers told Insider. "If you're helping someone who is mentally unwell get weapons and you know or should know of their history of violent threats, the law can hold you criminally responsible."
The suspected shooter legally obtained guns despite past law enforcement encounters
The Illinois State Police said Tuesday that the suspected gunman's father sponsored his son's gun permit application just months after the boy drew police attention for threatening to kill himself and others.
Officers visited the suspected shooter's home in September 2019 after a concerned family member alerted Highland Park police that he had threatened to "kill everyone," a Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman said earlier this week. Authorities removed 16 knives, a dagger, and a sword, but did not issue an arrest due to a lack of probable cause. The local police did alert the Illinois State Police at the time, the spokesman said.
State authorities received a "clear and present danger report" for the suspected shooter following the September home visit, but determined there was no action to be taken because he did not have an active gun permit or application in the system at the time.
Just months later, however, in December 2019, the suspected gunman, who was not yet 21 years old, applied for a firearm owner's identification (FOID) card. State law required that a parent or guardian consent to his gun permit application, given his age. The suspected shooter's father sponsored his application, state police said.
The suspect's father confirmed to the New York Post on Wednesday that he sponsored his son's permit application, telling the outlet that he believed his son wanted guns to use at the shooting range.
"He bought everything on his own, and they're registered to him," the dad said.
His father's decision to sponsor the application, even after the boy's threats prompted a police response, could put him on the hook for involuntary manslaughter, Rahmani said.
"You're creating an unreasonable risk of death because of your actions," the legal expert said. "You don't have to pull the trigger to be charged with manslaughter."
The suspected shooter's application was ultimately approved.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by bowieluva
Good job, YT!
