Concealed Carry: Highland Park Killer’s Father Indicted – ‘Helped Son Get Weapon of War’

 

By Matthew Maruster |

Last year, a disturbed young man murdered 7 people and injured many other during a 4th of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois. Police arrested the 22-year-old murderer, and he currently faces a bunch of charges related to his homicidal rampage. But this post is about the killer's father, 58-year-old Robert Crimo Junior.

Prosecutors initially charged Crimo Jr. with 7 counts of ‘reckless conduct', one for each person killed by his son. If convicted, each charge comes with a possibility of 3 years in prison. A grand jury just formally indicted Crimo Jr. and it seems like this case is proceeding.

So let's look at the case based on what we know so far.

Wikipedia

The Charges Against Crimo Jr.—

The charges against Crimo Jr. stem from his endorsement of his son's 2019 FOID permit application. Illinois requires a person to obtain a Firearms Owners Identification (FOID) to possess firearms or ammunition legally. Because the killer was under a8 years old in 2019, Illinois law requires a parent to endorse the application. Authorities say:

Illinois State Police reviewed the son’s gun license application and found no reason to deny it because he had no arrests, no criminal record, no serious mental health problems, no orders of protection and no other behavior that would disqualify him.

Prosecutors claim Crimo Jr. knew his son was potentially violent, and yet he still endorsed the young man's FOID application. Prosecutors argue this because of two incidents which occurred months before the killer applied for his FOID card. In April 2019, police responded to the family home because the killer threatened to kill himself using a machete. Then is September 2019, a family member reported to the police that the future killer threatened to “kill everyone.”

Police didn't arrest Crimo Jr.'s son for the criminal threats, nor was he committed against his will to a mental institution. Police can temporarily detain a person for 72 hours, so a licensed doctor can evaluate the person and determine if they pose a risk to themselves or others. It appears that the evaluation determined the future killer was not a risk to himself or others, and did not need to be detained any further.

What Options Did Authorities Have—

It is easy to second guess the doctors, knowing what we do now. However, we have to understand the troubled history of governments holding against their will, people who they deemed “crazy.” Many people incorrectly believe that people with mental disorders are likely to commit to violence. This isn't the case, even though that some mental illnesses cause people to act bizarrely and it can be quite scary. This issue of stripping Second Amendment rights, or confinement to an institution and forced medication, of those with ‘”mental health issues” is difficult to solve. Especially in a society where we value individual liberty and restrained governmental authority.

It's important to know that Illinois already has robust laws that police can use to seize the firearms of someone who is a danger to themselves or others. They could have temporarily seized the young man's firearms if they took custody of him based on valid suicidal threats. It appears as though they didn't.

Illinois also has red flag laws, that police could have used to disarm the killer years before the shooting, had a family member or police petitioned a Judge and presented compelling evidence he was a threat to himself or others. It seems like nobody close to him, or the police who responded to the calls, thought the threats reached that level.

In conclusion—

I tried my best to present what I know of the case in an impartial way. I purposefully didn't want to include my opinions on the charges against Crimo Junior. It is still early, and as the case progresses, we will understand more of what happened before the shooting.

It is very hard to predict criminal behavior, even if someone makes statements to harm themselves or others. In hindsight, we often can't imagine how red flags went unnoticed. But it's hard because we don't know how many similar incidents occur, where nobody acts on their statements. I'm not saying this to advocate for Crimo Junior, not in the least. I think that the young man who decided to kill innocent strangers is extremely disturbed. Shame on the parents if they didn't help their son, or through neglect made the issues worse. I'm not saying this is the case, but I presume we will learn a lot as the case progresses.

I just think cases like this are a good opportunity to reflect on our relationships.

Consider checking out the non-profit organization “Hold My Guns.” Since the time we interviewed the founders on our Concealed Carry Podcast, I have become a strong advocate for their mission to give gun owners safe firearm storage options and help overcome the stigma of mental health. Check out the interview by clicking here.

About Matthew Maruster

I follow my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is the eternal co-equal Son of God. I currently live in Columbus, Ohio with my wife and daughter. I served in the Marine Corps Infantry. I was a Staff Sergeant and served as a Platoon Sergeant during combat in Iraq. After I was a police officer at a municipal agency in San Diego County. I have a Bachelors's Degree in Criminal Justice from National University. I produce the Concealed Carry Podcast and coordinate the Concealed Carry Instructor Network, and manage MJ Maruster Defense.

View all posts by Matthew Maruster

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US Sports Health: A New Definition of Full Vaccination

Kevin Mccurry, Md

Currently what is considered fully vaccinated is having 1-2 shots plus a booster. In this article I show how medical research is proving the new definition of full vaccination should be:

Natural immunity (surviving COVID) + 1 vaccine shot

It’s been over two years since we started dealing with this pandemic. COVID’s devastation and it’s effects on every day life is tiresome for millions if not billions. Despite our fatigue, COVID will be around for a long time and compared to when this all started we have more tools at our disposal now: multiple vaccine choices, monoclonal antibodies, anti-viral medications, significantly increased hygiene awareness. Throughout all this we have had many different answers to the question: what does it mean to be fully vaxxed.

Even now, the talking heads are discussing a second booster shot. Perhaps we as a nation need to pause and reassess the definition of being fully vaccinated. We have a lot of data to help us do that, but we also acknowledge there’s a lot we still don’t know. Thankfully, we have researchers with an insatiable curiosity who want to learn more.

The Race To Obtain Immunity

One of the most important tools to fight COVID is immunity. You can obtain immunity in two ways: passively – receiving antibody shots or actively – infection or vaccine induction.

When this all started, none of us had immunity to COVID unless we developed the illness and survived. Millions did survive, but many died as well. The scientific community embarked on an aggressive, innovative, and amazing journey to bring us vaccinations. Dr. Eric Topol tweeted a recent timeline of the development of the vaccines highlighting the fantastic nature of that journey; see his Twitter account @EricTopol, where these following milestones list came from.

Definitions of Full Vaccination

Two years into the pandemic, we are beginning to see data show that natural immunity plays a significant role in the fight. So far, the CDC has defined full vaccination as completing the primary round of one or two vaccines followed by a booster.

However, natural immunity and one vaccination is just as good if not better than being “fully vaccinated.” I would encourage you to follow Dr. Eric Topol on Twitter; he has daily tweets providing excellent information on what’s happening in the world of COVID, as well as other relevant health issues.

Natural Immunity Is Powerful

A recent large trialOpens in a new tab. of the Johnson & Johnson single-shot vaccination showed that prior infection plus one-shot provided 90% protection against moderate or severe disease, compared to 56% just from the single-shot by itself. Keep in mind that the CDC recognizes being fully vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as two shots. Another CDC report out of CaliforniaOpens in a new tab. that included the Delta wave shows the hospitalization rate for the vaccinated was 0.7% but 0.3% for the unvaccinated with prior infection or natural immunity. This demonstrates that natural immunity is very powerful.

Proof That “Natural Immunity + One Shot” is Most Effective

Natural immunity has shown significant antibody persistence compared to vaccinations. The natural process also develops immune responses against the entire virus, whereas vaccine immunity is only induced against the spike protein. The vaccines do work. Make no mistake about that. But natural immunity is a powerful thing. Robust protection is when natural immunity is combined with one shot.

Even with natural immunity, the Omicron variant has been able to dance around that protection. A new report from Israel of 150,000 people, half vaccinated and the other half unvaccinated, showed an 82% lower risk of reinfection in the vaccinated. This means that even one vaccine with prior immunity is highly protective, and they did not show that more than one vaccine was any better than just one plus natural immunity. Natural immunity +1 was demonstrated as effective in several other studies, including at the Cleveland ClinicOpens in a new tab. and in the United KingdomOpens in a new tab.. Adding two or three shots had no additional benefit.

The Big Takeaway

So the big takeaway from all this is that if you’ve never had COVID, your vaccine of choice +1 booster will be highly protective. If you’ve had proof of COVID, only one vaccine shot is necessary to provide excellent protection. I suspect the CDC will eventually come around to this position as the data gets stronger and stronger on these points. The CDC has shot itself in the foot numerous times in the last two years. They can begin rehabilitating its reputation by acknowledging that natural immunity is a significant force. The CDC won’t listen to me, but they might listen to Dr. Eric Topol.

Long Term Effects of COVID

Don’t take COVID too lightly; the further we get into this, the more we learn about the long-term effects of COVID. One year after COVID survival, there’s a 40% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. See this link to NatureOpens in a new tab.. It will probably be years before we realize the full impact of COVID on people beyond hospitalization and death. So while you may have skated by unscathed so far, it’s still prudent to consider vaccination. Now, we have proof that natural immunity +1 shot affords significant protection.

To your good health,

Kevin McCurry MD

I'm Dr. Kevin McCurry. I’ve spent the last 30+ years helping my patients navigate complex medical issues. I am here to provide honest answers to your burning questions.

A brief history:

2022-Pres: Clinic Director | Arbor Health (AH)

2016-Pres: Chief Medical Officer | AH

2011-2021: ER Physician | AH

1993-2011: Family Med Physician | Riffe Medical Center

Interim CEO at AH, Morton Hospital

Clinical Instructor: UW School of Medicine & WSU College of Medicine

straighttalkmedicine.com

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·        BOX SCORE

56

Lincoln (PA) 14-14 (8-8 CIAA)

67

 Bowie State 7-21 (5-11 CIAA)

Bulldogs Stamp Regular Season Finale with 67-56 Victory Over Lincoln (PA)

BOWIE, MD -- In front a of packed A.C. Jordan Arena full of Bulldog fanatics, the Bowie State men's basketball team went into the halftime break tied with Lincoln (PA) 25-25, but took control in the second half to defeat the Lions 67-56 at home Saturday on national television.

The Bulldogs (7-21, 5-11 CIAA, 3-7 North) had three players score in double figures, led by junior Mark Bradshaw, who had 21 points and seven rebounds. Freshman Amare Wimbush added 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks and freshman Warren Mouganda helped out with 10 points off of the bench.

Bowie State grabbed 42 rebounds in Saturday's game compared to Lincoln (PA)'s 38, led by freshman Jacory Wilkes' nine boards. The Bulldogs also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 12 rebounds into nine second chance points.

Bowie State disrupted the Lions shots in the contest, coming away with eight blocks. Wilkes' three rejections led the way individually for the Bulldogs.

How It Happened
After falling behind 11-10, BSU went on a 5-0 run with 8:37 left in the first half to take a 15-11 lead. LUPA then responded to tie things up at 25-25 heading into halftime. The Bulldogs saw the bench step up in the period, as non-starters registered 15 of its 25 total points.

After intermission, Bowie State grabbed a 54-47 lead before going on a 9-0 run to grow its advantage to 63-47 with 1:10 to go in the contest. The Lions narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Bulldogs was able to hold off any comeback from Lincoln (PA) the rest of the way for the 67-56 win. Bowie State got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 30 of its 42 total points.

Game Notes

» Bowie State outscored Lincoln (PA) 42-31 in the second half after a halftime tie to pick up the victory.
» BSU shot well from three point range, knocking down six of 13 long range attempts.
» The Bulldogs held the Lions to only 26.3-percent shooting from the field.
» Bowie State had a great day defensively, holding Lincoln (PA) to 20 percent from three point land on 15 attempts.
» The Bowie State bench came alive by adding 45 points to its scoring output.
» Bradshaw and Mouganda came off the bench to score 21 and 10 points, respectively.
» BSU had a 42-38 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Bulldogs were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying eight blocks as a team.
» Bowie State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Bradshaw led the Bulldogs with 21 points.
» BSU got a game-high nine rebounds from Wilkes.

Up Next
Both the Bulldog men's and women's teams will await the seeding of the 2023 CIAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament which is scheduled to begin on Feb. 21-25 at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Md.

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Today's Devotional: All He Does Is Win!

 

Sunday Reflection: We All Win Together

Are you working to build your kingdom or God's? 

From Intouch Ministries

February 19, 2023

To get the most out of this devotion, set aside time to read the scriptures referenced throughout.

Church should be a place where Christians shed the world’s competitive spirit. But instead, it’s sometimes yet another arena where people strive for personal glory.

When we treat our sanctuaries like stages, chasing the spotlight, we end up building our own kingdoms instead of God’s. And our brothers and sisters in Christ can become stepping stones or, worse, collateral damage.

This problem isn’t new, nor is its solution. What Jesus taught the disciples to abandon was not the pursuit of excellence but the path of self-exaltation. In other words, if we’re competing for anything, it should be for last place—so that we might all triumph together in becoming a true reflection of Christ.

Do you see something of yourself in these descriptions? If so, ask the Holy Spirit for help correcting course and aligning your heart with His. 

Think about it

• Read Romans 12:10-21 and Matthew 20:1-15. Are there any specific areas of your life that need to be reoriented so that they align with these verses? With whom are you competing? How can you shift toward honoring and serving them instead?

Bible in One Year: Numbers 31-32 

 

Bowie State Basketball to Host Lincoln (PA) for Senior Day

·        BOWIE, Md. — The Bowie State men's and women's basketball teams will host its final home game of the 2022-23 regular season against Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) foe Lincoln (PA) on Saturday, Feb. 18 inside A.C. Jordan Arena. The Bulldogs will recognize 15 seniors at the conclusion of the men's game. 
 
Tip-off for the men's game is set for 12 noon and will air live on the CW Network powered by Black College Sports Broadcasting Network (BCSBN). The women's game is scheduled to follow at 3 p.m. on the Bulldog Sports Network.
 
Last Outing
The Bulldogs (13-11, 9-6 CIAA) fell to Virginia State Wednesday, 50-41 in Ettrick, Va. The loss dropped Bowie State to third in the Northern Division standings - tying with Elizabeth City State and Shaw with a 5-4 record.
 
As for men's hoops, the Bulldogs dropped its third straight with the loss to Virginia State, 85-69 last timeout. Bowie State (6-21, 4-11 CIAA, 2-7 North) is sixth in the Northern Division.
 
Last Matchup
The win against Lincoln (PA) back on Jan. 18 was the first division win for Bowie State this season. The Bulldogs came away with a 57-56 edge over the Lions after taking a 32-25 lead at halftime. It was junior Joel Webb's last second free throw that willed BSU to the victory. Bowe State was responsible for 43 rebounds, turning 15 offensive rebounds into 13 second chance points. Sophomore Kyree Freeman-Davis finished with 14 points while junior Anthony Carpenter tacked on 14 points and senior Quinton Drayton chipped in as well with 11 points, respectively. 

As for the women's squad. Bowie State faced a 42-29 deficit at halftime and was never able to find its offensive groove in the contest. The Bulldogs deficit grew to 26 at the end of the third before outscoring the Lady Lions 22-17. However, the closest BSU would get to Lincoln (PA) (18-7, 12-3 CIAA, 7-2 North) was 20 points in the second half before ultimately falling, 83-62. Sophomore Anii Harris scored 22 points and junior Robyn Howard added 13 points.

How to Watch on CW Network
The men's game between Bowie State and Lincoln (PA) (14-13, 8-7 CIAA, 5-4 North) will be nationally televised on the CW Network through Black College Sports Broadcasting Network (BCSBN). This will be Bowie State's fifth game on the network this season.

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Up Next
Both the Bulldog men's and women's teams will await the seeding of the 2023 CIAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament which is scheduled to begin on Feb. 21-25 at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Md.
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Beast Sports: Natural Caffeine Vs Synthetic Caffeine. Which Is Best?

by Maria Altieri 

Caffeine is considered to be one of the most frequently used supplement ingredients all across the world in many different products, and for a good reason – it works. One of the most common uses of caffeine is in the form of coffee. There are many people who rely on the caffeine content found in coffee to get them through their day and even workout. Some can get away with low doses, while others need incredibly high doses. However, many people do not know that there are different sources of caffeine, which is why we are going to discuss the two types of caffeine – natural caffeine and synthetic caffeine. 

Caffeine is a common ingredient found in drinks such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, and soft drinks like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, etc. There are many sources of caffeine that can be utilized, and they all don’t have the same effects on people. Some sources are natural, plant-based, and some are even synthetically produced. 

Let’s take a look at what natural caffeine is as well as what synthetic caffeine is to get a better understanding of how they differ. 

Natural Caffeine 

If we go back to its roots, caffeine was first found in naturally occurring plants such as guarana, cacao, yerba mate, and berries. In present times, it can be found in over 60 various types of plants. 

While natural caffeine can be found and sold as a standalone supplement, it’s generally not the most commonly found product on the shelves and online. Instead, natural caffeine can be found in many different supplement profiles from fat-burners, to pre-workouts, to straight-up energy products. 

You may also find caffeine in vitamins and methylxanthines, which balance the up and down of energy from caffeine in your system and help deliver it to your body in a stable manner. Essentially, natural caffeine provides a more sustainable and cleaner boost of energy in comparison to synthetic caffeine, and it also allows for heightened focus and cognition. If you’ve ever used different forms of caffeine, you may have noticed and experienced a quick jolt of energy but then an abrupt crash that soon follows. 

Unlike synthetic caffeine, natural caffeine generally does not have any side effects such as insomnia, nervousness, and anxiety, to name a few. It is because of the gradual release of natural caffeine into your system that many of the side effects associated with synthetic caffeine are nonexistent. There is no sudden release that can cause jitters or uneasiness. 

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You can take a glance at the nutritional panel of a product to see if it has natural caffeine or synthetic caffeine, as many of them will break down what source of caffeine is used. 

Synthetic Caffeine 

Synthetic caffeine is widely used in soft drinks and energy drinks. Synthetic caffeine is quickly absorbed in your system and gives you a sudden boost of energy, which is much faster than natural caffeine. Interestingly enough, and a little history lesson for you, synthetic caffeine was first discovered by the Nazis during World War II. With increasing demand, synthetic caffeine started becoming the norm. 

Additionally, synthetic caffeine (such as caffeine anhydrous) is a very inexpensive ingredient to produce. Natural caffeine is something that would need to be sourced, and because of this, synthetic caffeine has become the most widely used form of caffeine. Big companies such as Coca-Cola are highly dependent on synthetic caffeine for their products. Unfortunately, synthetic caffeine has some drawbacks and side effects that could become quite harmful to your body. 

There have been some instances and cases where individuals got their supplements mixed up and took two teaspoons or more of synthetic caffeine and, unfortunately, died because of ingesting a lethal dose. 

Because synthetic caffeine is absorbed into your body much faster than natural caffeine, it provides a quick spike of energy that many people enjoy but then an equivalent crash as if you hit a wall going 100mph. Although synthetic caffeine and natural caffeine are almost non-distinguishable on a molecular level, the method of how synthetic caffeine is made can trigger significant health concerns, which you need to take into consideration before you decide if you want to supplement with it or not. 

Natural Caffeine vs. Synthetic Caffeine 

Here are some key points and takeaways from both sources of caffeine. 

• Natural caffeine and synthetic caffeine are chemically identical. The big difference is that synthetic caffeine is made from chloroacetic acid and urea, whereas natural caffeine is produced from various plants. 

• The most surprising part is that both sources of caffeine affect the body in similar ways. 

• Naturally sourced caffeine tends to be harder to source and relatively expensive, which is why labs have started making synthetic caffeine. 

• Due to the lower cost associated with synthetic caffeine, many supplement companies prefer to use it over natural caffeine due to the cost-savings advantage. 

• Synthetic caffeine undergoes numerous steps to be converted from its initial form, which is ammonia. It is usually exposed to harsh chemicals during the conversion, such as ethyl acetate, carbon dioxide, and methylene chloride. In addition, synthetic caffeine has somewhat of a “glowing” factor. This is removed by cleaning the caffeine with acetic acid, sodium nitrate, chloroform, and sodium bicarbonate. 

• It should be noted that not all synthetic caffeine is harmful when consumed in a small amount. But the thing to keep in mind is, you have probably had it this week or even today, unknowingly, as several products have them as one of their ingredients. Because of this, it is recommended that you take a look at the ingredient list of the product you are looking to purchase. 

Which Source of Caffeine Is Right for You? 

The most significant takeaway when differentiating natural caffeine and synthetic caffeine is that synthetic caffeine can work faster and provide you with a sudden boost of energy. Still, when you are coming down from that rollercoaster ride, and you have a sudden crash in energy, it will be much worse than what you’ll experience through natural caffeine. 

It’s beneficial to understand what you are reading on many supplement labels out there. If you see the word “caffeine” on the ingredient list of a product, it is very like that it is synthetic caffeine (caffeine anhydrous). If it is a natural source, you will see the actual name of the plant products used, such as green tea extract, green coffee beans, or guarana, to name a few. 

Now that you know the basics of the varying sources of caffeine, you can make a more informed decision on whether you prefer to use a natural caffeine source or a synthetic caffeine source to help provide you with the results you want and need to achieve your goals.

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