Four people dead and five others injured in northern Illinois stabbing: Suspect in custody – cops
Four people were killed and five injured in stabbings in northern Illinois on Wednesday, authorities said.
A suspect is in custody and was being questioned Wednesday afternoon, according to Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd. She said one of the injured was in critical condition.
“My heart goes out to the families who are experiencing loss right now,” Redd told reporters.
She said Rockford police received a medical call at 1:14 p.m., followed by additional calls for police and paramedics.
Redd said in town, “We have four deceased persons. We have one who is currently in critical condition and another four who are in stable condition.”
Four people were killed and five were injured Wednesday in stabbings in the northern Illinois city of Rockford, authorities said
Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd speaks to the media after the stabbings
Redd said not all of the victims had stab wounds and none were shot.
Three people died on the spot. The fourth died in a hospital.
“We do not believe there are any other suspects on the run or at large at this particular time,” she said.
“At this time, we have no clear motive as to why this individual committed such a heinous crime.”
Redd said residents in the area were asked to review their home surveillance camera footage for anything related to the attacks.
Rockford has a population of about 150,000 and is located 90 miles northwest of Chicago.
The violence Wednesday came days after a teenage Walmart worker in Rockford was stabbed and killed inside the store.
“Today we are shocked by another horrific act of violence against innocent members of our community,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara.
. A police officer rolls out a crime scene tape. A suspect is in custody and will be interrogated on Wednesday afternoon
Redd said not all of the victims had stab wounds and none were shot. Three people died on the spot. The fourth died in a hospital
Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office officers are walking house to house as they investigate multiple stabbings at multiple crime scenes in the 2100 block of Eggleston Road
With the suspect in custody, he continued, “Our primary concern is to ensure that our community members directly affected by this violence are supported as they heal and recover.”
The mayor wrote on the city’s Facebook page that “multiple jurisdictions” are “working on multiple crime scenes to understand what happened in an effort to prevent this from happening again.”
The suspect was arrested by a Winnebago County sheriff’s deputy after they were called to a reported home invasion, Sheriff Gary Caruana said.
“The young lady ran from him,” Caruana said of one of the survivors. ‘She has several stab wounds to her hands and face. She is in serious condition. One of the Good Samaritans stopped to help her. He did sustain some stab wounds. He’s under investigation.’
Resident Eric Patterson described the rampage that turned his quiet street into a crime scene as senseless.
“You can’t rationalize this,” Patterson said. “It’s almost like playing a video game, but it’s reality. It does not make any sense. It looks like Grand Theft Auto. ‘I’m going to hit the postman here. I’m going to stab a few people there. I’m going to this house here.”
Cassandra Hernandez, another Cleveland Avenue neighbor, said she is friends with one of the victims and fears for the life of the postal worker, who neighbors believe was both hit by a vehicle and stabbed during the attack.
“You never expect this here,” Hernandez said. “We have such wonderful neighbors,” she said, describing the postman as “a very good man.” I’m very sad.’