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The city of Rockford, Illinois is in mourning after a deadly stabbing that left four people dead and seven others injured on Wednesday afternoon.
The Rockford Police Department responded to a medical emergency call at approximately 1:14 a.m., which quickly turned into a multi-scene investigation that led to the discovery of multiple victims.
Authorities confirmed the violence occurred at several locations in the northern Illinois city, about 94 miles south of Chicago.
Police Chief Carla Redd, addressing the media, expressed her deepest condolences to the victims' families and indicated that the 22-year-old male suspect was immediately taken into custody for questioning. However, still no ID was issued.
“It's a very labor intensive event,” Chief Redd said. “Right now my thoughts are with the families who are suffering loss.”
According to USA Today, the victims, whose identities have not been disclosed, include a 15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man and another 22-year-old man.
Rockford Fire Department District Chief Will Pederson confirmed that three victims died at the scene, while the fourth died after being transported to a local hospital.
Rockford police said one of the injured was in critical condition, while several others were in stable condition. According to CNN, two additional victims received treatment for their injuries, acknowledged by the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office.
According to Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana, the suspect was captured after a report of a home invasion. Providing details on the encounter, Sheriff Caruana described how a female victim managed to escape her attacker despite being injured. A bystander who came to his aid was also injured, but is reportedly in good condition.
Police Chief Carla Redd said, “We have no clear motive as to why this individual committed such heinous crimes.”
CNN reported:
Police said all the victims were not stabbed, nor were any shot, but did not say how the other victims died or how they were injured. According to the sheriff, one of the deceased victims was a mailman.
“This is a very active and multi-tiered, multi-agency investigation and has a tremendous amount of moving parts,” it said in a Wednesday evening news release. “As with any investigation, more details and charges may come at a later date.”
Police urged residents to check their cameras and doorbells for any video footage related to the incidents, and to submit any tips to police or anonymously through Rockford Area Crime Stoppers.
Speaking at the press conference, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said he was “utterly shaken by this act of violence and its impact on the lives of so many families.”
He said counselors will be at Flynn Middle School Thursday and Friday to help affected individuals and families.
“It's hard to understand how this could happen and how emotional and raw the community is tonight,” the mayor said in a Facebook post. “As a father, a son, a husband, mayor and a Rockford supporter, my heart is breaking for those who have lost their lives, their families and our community.”
Watch:
The stabbing incident follows one other violent incident within the metropolis, the place a Walmart worker was stabbed simply days in the past.
Moreover, the chairman and one member of the Illinois Prisoner Evaluate Board resigned amid controversy after approving the discharge of a person who stabbed his ex-girlfriend's younger son to loss of life lower than a day after his launch. Had given.