The suspect, who is not being named per Daily Wire policy, previously explained to police that he fired over 80 shots from a rooftop above the parade route. On Wednesday, Fox News reported that the suspect pleaded not guilty.
Last week, the outlet reported that the suspect was indicted on 117 counts for the mass shooting, including 21 first-degree murders – three counts per deceased victim. The charges include 48 counts of attempted murder and another 48 accounts of aggravated battery with a firearm – one count of each for every person wounded in the attack.
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Forty-seven people were named as victims in the filing charges (even though there are more victims), the judge announced at the suspect’s Wednesday arraignment. Around two dozen family members and friends of the victims appeared in court at the time.
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As The Daily Wire reported, Assistant State’s Attorney Ben Dillon explained to a judge at the Lake County Courthouse in early July that the suspect made “a voluntary statement confessing to his actions.”
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Dillon further explained to the judge that the suspect confessed to finding a position on a rooftop along the parade route and “looked down his sights and opened fire.” Dillon continued that police discovered 83 shell casings on that rooftop.
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Defense attorney Scott Greenfield clarified why someone who confessed in this matter would still plead not guilty.
“The defendant is always told to plead ‘not guilty’ at arraignment to allow his lawyer to engage in discovery, motion practice, and plea negotiations,” Greenfield stated. “It’s entirely normal and reflects nothing about ‘innocence’ per se, but allows the lawyer room to do his job of zealously representing the defendant, no matter how overwhelming the evidence of guilt.”
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Five people died at the scene, while two more died after being taken to a hospital. Dozens more were hit throughout the assault.
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The suspect was worried that police would recognize him after the shooting, so he dressed in women’s clothing and makeup to cover his tattoos and avoid detection. He argued down a fire escape and disappeared into the crowd, leaving the rifle he used on the rooftop. Police were able to identify him from surveillance cameras, however.
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The suspect then went to his mother’s house and drove her car to Madison, Wisconsin, in a possible effort to throw off authorities. The suspect left his phone, which was being tracked by police, in Madison, and then drove back to Chicago, where he was arrested.
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