Multiple people were stabbed in an attack through a large stretch of a southeast side neighborhood. The suspect is in police custody.
ROCKFORD — Four people were killed and seven others were injured in a series of stabbings in a neighborhood on the city's southeast side Wednesday.
Authorities were initially called to the 2300 block of Holmes Street at about 1:14 p.m. on March 27, while multiple calls also came in from other parts of the neighborhood, including Cleveland Avenue, Winnetka Drive, Eggleston Road and Florence Street.Â
"All of the sudden, we heard police run up on both sides of the house screaming 'Stop! Get down!'" Vanessa Hy told 13 Investigates' William Ingalls. "Then they ran into the backyard and after a few minutes we saw them bringing the suspect down the driveway in handcuffs and he was very bloody. It was like a movie, you know, I've never seen anything like this."
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office told 13 WREX that in total, seven people were injured in the attacks. Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd confirmed that three people died at the scene and one died at a local hospital.
The deceased victims have been identified as a 15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man, and a 22-year-old man.
13 WREX has confirmed with the U.S. Postal Service that one of their letter carriers are among the deceased victims.Â
Authorities said one of the victims in critical condition is a woman who was trying to run away after the man entered her home and stabbed her in the hands and face.Â
Another of the injured victims was a good Samaritan who was hurt while trying to help one of the stabbing victims.Â
Four of the injured victims were taken to OSF St. Anthony Medical Center.
Not all of those who were injured sustained stab wounds, Redd said, and no further information on the conditions of the injured victims was immediately available.
The suspect has been identified as 22-year-old Christian Soto. Redd said investigators have not yet identified a motive for these "heinous crimes," and there are no other suspects.
Emotional support services will be available at Flinn Middle School at 2525 Ohio Pkwy., from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. Rosecrance will have counselors available for adults and children impacted by the attacks.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara released the following statement:
"Today, we are shocked by another horrific act of violence against innocent members of our community. We can report that the suspect is in custody and the threat has been neutralized. Now that he is in custody, our primary concern is ensuring that our community members directly impacted by this violence are supported throughout their healing and recovery. We are working with community partners to provide support and services quickly and conveniently to those residents. We will announce those details soon.
"We have multiple jurisdictions working on multiple crime scenes to develop an understanding of what transpired in an effort to prevent this from happening again. We will continue to provide updates."
Winnebago County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli released the following statement:
"Following the incident on Rockford’s southeast side today where a suspect attacked and stabbed multiple people this afternoon, I am shocked and saddened to hear about yet another act of senseless violence in our community this week. The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and Rockford Police Department are working together as the investigation continues. As the former Alderman of this area, my heart goes out to the residents of this neighborhood and our community as a whole."
State Rep. Dave Vella released the following statement:
"I am heartbroken by the actions of the perpetrator of these horrible stabbings in Rockford today. These victims deserve to be safe and secure in their homes from violence that they didn’t ask for and don’t deserve. They need our support now and my office is ready and willing to do what we can to help. I am committed to working closely with Mayor McNamara and other authorities to help these neighbors of ours to address this senseless violence and ensure that justice is served.
"The City of Rockford Police Department and Winnebago County Sheriff's Department responded quickly and skillfully to bring the perpetrator into custody and prevent additional injuries. I am thankful for their rapid and expert response to the situation. We truly have an amazing force in our community we can trust.
"I ask that we keep the victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers during this time."
U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen released the following statement:
"I am grateful for quick actions of our police who were able to catch the suspect and prevent additional harm to our neighbors in Rockford.
"As we work to uncover more details about why this attack occurred, I want the victims and their families to know I am keeping them in my thoughts and praying for those who are in recovery. The emotional toll an event like this takes on a community is immense, and it is critical that we work together to make sure our neighbors have the support they need to get through this difficult moment. Everyone, regardless of their zip code, deserves to feel safe in the community they live in. I remain committed working with local officials to fight for the resources our police officers need to keep our neighborhoods safe and reduce crime."
