Four people were killed and seven others were injured in Rockford, Illinois, in what the city’s mayor called a “random and senseless act of violence.”
Some of the victims, including a woman who fled a home invasion in Winnebago County and a man who tried to help her, were stabbed, authorities said.
The suspect, a 22-year-old man, was taken into custody and police are not looking for anyone else involved in the attacks, authorities said. NBC Chicago, citing Rockford officials, identified the suspect as Christian Soto.
“Words can’t even express what I’m thinking right now,” Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd told reporters, adding that the suspect committed “heinous crimes”.
Authorities have not said how the violence unfolded. A woman who identified herself as the detainee’s mother said Thursday that she was in shock.
“He is a loving person and has never hurt anyone before.”said the woman, who did not provide her name, in a phone call with NBC Chicago. “We don’t know what happened. She is not an aggressive person. “All of this is shocking to us… We never feel threatened by him.”
The deceased have not been identified. They are a 15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man and a 22-year-old man, police said.
The reason for the attacks is unknown
The causes of death and injuries of all victims were unclear. Not all of the victims were stabbed, Redd said, and none were shot.
A report came into the Rockford dispatch center at 1:14 p.m. about a medical call, Redd added, and Other calls for police help followed..
In a neighborhood in the Rockford area that is part of Winnebago County, there was a home invasion and a woman fled, but was stabbed in the hands and face, Sheriff Gary Caruana said.
She was taken to a hospital with serious injuries and was intubated, he said. A man who intervened to help her suffered stab wounds, but “is fine” and is being evaluated, she added.
A sheriff’s deputy detained the suspect. He faces more than a dozen chargesincluding murder and burglary, online records show.
He is expected to make his first court appearance at 1:30 p.m. this Thursday, according to NBC Chicago.
Both police agencies are investigating and trying to piece together what happened. Redd asked residents to check security cameras or doorbell cameras for any video that could help investigators.
“At the moment, We have no clear motive as to what caused this individual to commit such heinous crimes.“Redd said.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said he was completely shocked by this act of violence and the impact it is now having on the lives of several families.
“My prayers are with them as they are just beginning to deal with what will be some really difficult days and weeks ahead,” McNamara said.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said he was monitoring the situation and offered all necessary support to the mayor of Rockford.
“As we wait for more information, our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims,” Pritzker said on the social network X.
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