02-01-24 Keely Roberts after the tragedy that forever changed the lives of her family members and Highland Park, IL
Scarlett Lewis met Keely Roberts a few months after the tragedy that forever changed the lives of her family members and the Highland Park, IL community. During their July 4th Independence Day parade in 2022, a gunman opened fire killing seven people and injuring more than 40. Among the victims were Keely Roberts, and her twin sons Cooper and Luke, both 8 at the time. Cooper was hit in the back with a bullet that exited his chest, damaging his aorta, liver, esophagus and spinal cord, paralyzing him from the waist down. His fraternal twin brother, Luke, was also wounded.
The gunman Robert Crimo III, 22, is awaiting trial on 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm. His father, Robert Crimo Jr., 59, was also arrested on seven counts of felony reckless conduct for allegedly helping his son procure a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card when he knew his son was a danger to the public. He recently pled guilty and is now serving time in jail. The Robertses, along with dozens of others, also filed a lawsuit against the Crimos, manufacturer Smith & Wesson, online distributor Buds Gun Shop and retailer Red Dot Arms. “We moved to Highland Park because it was safe. And then this happens,” says Keely, a former school superintendent. “But by the grace and kindness of others, a lot of good has happened too.”
Keely proposes a fantastic idea – What does it mean to be a villager? accountable for human connection, seeing the light of humanity in each other, being kind, fault versus responsibility, leaning into community, being part of something greater than yourself, asking for help, open and trust of those around you, reminding yourself there is more good than bad. caring show we don’t walk along. “Human existence is a team sport” SEL is fundamentally critical, at least as important as academics.
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