According to Rockford's mayor, a “random and senseless act of violence” killed four and injured five on Tuesday. Officials said a Winnebago County woman fleeing a home invasion and a guy who helped her were stabbed.
Authorities say a 22-year-old male was arrested and police are not looking for anyone else engaged in the violence at "multiple scenes" in Rockford and an area of the county shortly after 1 p.m. "Words can’t express my thoughts right now," Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd told reporters. She accused the suspect of "heinous crimes."
An adult guy "attacked and stabbed multiple individuals," leaving one critically injured and four stable, the police stated on X. The deceased are unidentified. Police identified them as a 15-year-old girl, 63-year-old lady, 49-year-old male, and 22-year-old guy.
Death and injury causes for all victims were unknown. Not all victims were stabbed or shot, Redd claimed. Redd said Rockford's dispatch center received a medical call at 1:14 p.m. and numerous police calls afterward.
Sheriff Gary Caruana said a woman fled a home invasion in Rockford, Winnebago County, but was stabbed in the hands and face. He claimed she was intubated and hospitalized with significant injuries. A man who helped her was stabbed, but "he’s fine" and being evaluated, Caruana said.
Caruana said a sheriff's deputy arrested the unidentified man. Caruana said a mail carrier was a victim without further specifics. The Postal Inspection Service stated the victim was a postal carrier but would not provide further details due to an active investigation.
Both law enforcement organizations are investigating to determine what happened. Redd advised residents to review security or doorbell cameras for evidence helpful to detectives. "Right now, we don’t have a clear motive in regards to what caused this individual to commit such heinous crimes," he said.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara and others remembered the victims and their families. He claimed he was "just totally shaken by this act of violence and the impact that it’s having now on multiple families’ lives." "My prayers are with them as they’re just beginning to deal with what will be really difficult days and weeks ahead," McNamara.
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