Robert E. Crimo III appears for a case management meeting before Judge Victoria A. Rossetti at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan on May 29, 2024. Crimo III is charged with killing seven people and wounding dozens more in a shooting at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park. | Photo: Nam Y. Huh (AP/Pool)

The man accused of killing seven and wounding dozens at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade is expected to plead guilty and be sentenced next week.

Sources told Lake and McHenry County Scanner this week that Robert E. Crimo III was expected to enter into a negotiated plea agreement with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office next Wednesday.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart told Lake and McHenry County Scanner Thursday evening that the case has been set for a Wednesday hearing for a “change of plea.”

Rinehart said his office has been in constant contact with the victims and survivors. “They were and remain our first concern,” he said.

The state’s attorney declined to share specifics on the expected plea.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said his office has an operational plan in place.

[Suggested Article]  'This is unacceptable': Parents demand answers after recording devices found in restrooms at Highland Park schools

“That along with the presiding judge’s decorum order, there will be very specific rules in place for the courtroom during the proceeding,” he said.

Covelli said extra sheriff’s deputies will be on site for the hearing to ensure order is kept inside and outside of the courtroom.

“We do not anticipate any road closures at this time, but that may change depending on information we receive or how the situation evolves,” he added.

Lake County Judge Victoria A. Rossetti speaks during a case management meeting for Robert E. Crimo III at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan on May 29, 2024. Crimo III is charged with killing seven people and wounding dozens more in a shooting at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park. Photo: Nam Y. Huh (AP/Pool)

Crimo III, 23, of Highwood, is charged with 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm.

Crimo III allegedly opened fire on paradegoers attending the Fourth of July parade near Second Street and Central Avenue in Highland Park on July 4, 2022.

Prosecutors previously said Crimo admitted to “looking down his sights” of his Smith & Wesson M&P 15 semi-automatic rifle before opening fire on the Highland Park crowd.

[Suggested Article]  Crews completely shut down stretch of Route 59 near Barrington due to icy conditions

Crimo told investigators he fired two full 30-round magazines before loading a third 30-round magazine and firing.

Seven people were killed and dozens of others were shot. 83 spent shell casings were recovered at the scene.

Robert E. Crimo III looks around as he appears for a case management meeting before Judge Victoria A. Rossetti at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan on May 29, 2024. Crimo III is charged with killing seven people and wounding dozens more in a shooting at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park. | Photo: Nam Y. Huh (AP/Pool)

Crimo has been held in the Lake County Jail without bond since July 6, 2022.

In February, Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti set Crimo’s trial for February 24, 2025.

The case was previously scheduled for a February 2024 trial after Crimo decided in December to represent himself and demand a speedy trial.

The Lake County Public Defender’s Office was reappointed to the case in January after Crimo backed away from self-representation.