Four people killed in Illinois neighborhood stabbing

Illinois leaders said seven other people were injured on Wednesday during the nearly 20-minute rampage. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara identified the deceased victims as 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb, 23-year-old Jacob Schupbach, 49-year-old Jay Larson, and 63-year-old Romona Schupbach during a Thursday press conference. U.S. Postal Inspector Ruth Mendonca identified Larson as a 25-year letter carrier who was working at the time of his murder. Christian Ivan Soto, 22, faces four charges of first-degree murder and seven charges of attempted first-degree murder, along with two charges of home invasion with a dangerous weapon.

Why and how did Soto allegedly attack so many people?  Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley gave a detailed account of the attacks on Thursday that he said was based on witness statements and Soto’s testimony. Soto and victim Jacob Schupbach were childhood friends, according to Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd. The suspect allegedly told police he was at Schupbach’s house smoking weed, which he believed was “laced” with an additional drug, causing him to become “paranoid.” Soto then stabbed Schupbach and his mother, Romona, to death in their home and fled the scene in his truck, according to police. Investigators said Soto came upon Larson, the letter carrier, soon after and began attacking him. Police cited a witness whom they said saw Soto punching Larson on the ground before retrieving a knife from his truck and stabbing the mailman “numerous times in various parts of his body.” The witness, while calling 911 inside his home, watched Soto get into his truck and run over the postal worker twice, according to investigators. Police said Soto admitted to attacking and stabbing all three people during his confession.

Investigators said Soto injured three more people after forcing his way into their home and attacking them with “a katana-style knife.” One of the victims said Soto left after he was hit with a syrup bottle. Soto also allegedly told police he was bit in the leg by a pit bull. The suspect then entered a second home through an unlocked door and attacked three girls with a baseball bat found at the scene, according to investigators. McNamara said 15-year-old Newcomb died trying to protect the other two girls from the attack. Soto also admitted to both attacks during his interview with police, according to investigators.

Police said Soto then broke into a third house and attacked a female resident with a knife, chasing her out into the yard. A man nearby intervened and received serious injuries while attempting to fight the attacker off. The city is offering free counseling sessions for locals through the end of Friday. Soto is expected in court on Thursday, where Hanley will petition for the suspect to receive pre-trial detention.