HIGHLAND PARK police after the shooting on Monday (Wikipedia).

The man accused of shooting dozens of people – seven of them fatally – at a 4th of July parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park has confessed, according to authorities.

The Associated Press is reporting that Robert Crimo III, 21, also considered shooting at an event in the Madison,Wisconsin area.

Crimo was able to legally purchase the high-powered rifle used in the mass shooting despite having a history of mental and emotional problems and of making violent threats. He was able to pass background checks in 2020 and 2021, according to United Press International.

He faces seven counts of first degree murder as well as many other offenses, reports UPI.

A judge ordered a public defender to represent him as he did not initially have a personal attorney.

British PM Johnson facing revolt

The often controversial British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing a revolt within his own Conservative Party as three ministers of his cabinet resigned on Wednesday.

Johnson, who rose to prominence for his embrace of “Brexit” – withdrawal of Great Britain from the European Union – vowed not to resign, despite scandals in his administration, according to The Associated Press.

Missed chance to stop Uvalde killer?

A report from the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response team at Texas University claims that a police officer with a rifle had a chance to shoot the gunman as he approached the Ross Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, but received no response to his request to open fire.

Sports: Angels snap losing streak

SHOHEI OHTANI (Angels photo).

The Los Angeles Angels broke a four-game losing streak on Wednesday as they defeated the Marlins in Miami 5-2. Shohei Ohtani (8-4) pitched seven innings, yielding two hits and one unearned run. He struck out 10 batters and walked none as his team improved to 38-45.

Ohtani helped his own cause by driving in two runs and scoring a run. He also stole a base. Mike Trout drove in one run with a sacrifice, but otherwise went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are hosting the Colorado Rockies.

Weather: Warmer days on the way

Some clouds will remain over the West Orange County area Thursday and Friday, but temperatures will rise. They will see a daytime high of 82 each day with overnight lows in the mid-60s. Sunny skies should break through on Saturday with a high of 86 (64).