In Ockford, Illinois, a devastating incident unfolded on Wednesday, resulting in at least four fatalities and seven injuries, one of which is critical.
The tragedy began when a man went on a stabbing spree in northern Illinois, as per authorities.
Carla Redd, the police chief in Rockford, a city located about 94 miles northwest of Chicago, stated that the police received a medical call at 1:14 p.m., followed by additional calls for paramedics and police.
Responding units found multiple crime scenes. The suspect, a 22-year-old man, was apprehended and questioned by police on Wednesday afternoon.
"This is a pretty painstaking event," Redd remarked. "My heart goes out to the families right now who are suffering a loss."
Redd clarified that not all victims were stabbed and none were shot. The motive behind the attacks remains unknown.
The four victims killed were identified as a 15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man, and a 22-year-old man.
Their names have not been released to the public. Three of the victims died at the scenes, while the fourth was transported to a local hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries.
Of the seven injured individuals, one is in critical condition and four are in stable condition, according to Rockford police.
Two additional victims were injured in the jurisdiction of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.
Wednesday's attack came shortly after the stabbing death of an 18-year-old Walmart employee in Rockford. A 28-year-old man has been arrested and is facing a first-degree murder charge in that case.
The suspect in the recent attack was taken into custody after a report of a home invasion. Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana stated that a young woman who survived the attack ran from the suspect and suffered stab wounds to her hands and face.
She is currently in serious condition at a hospital.
A good Samaritan who stopped to help her also suffered stab wounds but is in stable condition.
One of the victims killed in the attack was a mail carrier.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara emphasized that multiple jurisdictions are investigating the incident.
"Today, we are shocked by another horrific act of violence against innocent members of our community," McNamara said in a statement.
"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."
Residents like Eric Patterson and Cassandra Hernandez expressed shock and sadness over the incident, with Patterson likening the events to a senseless video game.
Hernandez, a friend of one of the victims, mourned the loss of the mailman and expressed disbelief that such violence could occur in their community.