Ambulance arrives at scene of stabbing incident
A knife-wielding man goes on a rampage in the US state of Illinois, killing four people and injuring at least five others.
Rockford police said the attack occurred after a home invasion Wednesday afternoon. One of the injured is in critical condition.
The victims were a 15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man, and a 22-year-old man.
A 22-year-old man was arrested and is being questioned by police.
Police said the motive for the attack remains unclear.
Police said the home invasion occurred on Florence Street, but the attacks were spread out at multiple locations.
Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana said a young woman was seen running away from the suspect and suffered stab wounds to her hand and face.
The woman is currently hospitalized and undergoing endotracheal intubation.
Another man, described by Sheriff Caruana as a “good Samaritan”, suffered less serious stab wounds after trying to intervene to help the woman.
Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd said not all of the victims were stabbed, but added that none of them had gunshot wounds.
She said police do not believe there are other suspects.
“I can't even express my feelings in words right now…” she said. “Our hearts go out to the families who are suffering this loss at this time.”
Rockford resident Ruth Gallagher told CBS that a longtime mail carrier was among the dead, while the U.S. Postal Service confirmed that the mail carrier was not killed. confirmed.
“He was a very kind person,” Gallagher said. “He would help anyone, step in and help. He was always friendly. This is just a disaster for all of us. It's just a nightmare.”
“My heart breaks for those who lost their lives, their families, and our community,” Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said in a statement.
“This is obviously a huge blow to all of us,” he said. “But in true Rockford fashion, we get beaten down, sometimes too beaten down, but we always get back up stronger.”
He added that free counseling services will be available at Flynn Middle School in Rockford on Thursday and Friday.
