A 22-year-old man, Christian Soto, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a horrifying stabbing and beating spree that took place in Rockford, Illinois. The rampage left four people dead and seven injured. Soto is also facing charges of attempted murder and home invasion with a dangerous weapon.

According to authorities, the attacks occurred on Wednesday, and Soto appeared in court briefly on Thursday. He remains held without bond, as per court and jail records.

During a press conference, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara struggled to hold back tears as he announced the victims' names. The deceased were identified as 63-year-old Romona Schupbach, 23-year-old Jacob Schupbach, 49-year-old Jay Larson, and 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb. Three individuals are still hospitalized, while the other four have been treated and released, revealed Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd.

Investigators discovered that Soto and Jacob Schupbach had known each other since childhood. Soto claimed that the two had smoked marijuana together at Schupbach's residence prior to the attack. According to Winnebago County State's Attorney J. Hanley, Soto believed the drugs provided by Jacob were laced with an unknown substance, which led to his paranoia. He then retrieved a knife from the kitchen and proceeded to fatally stab his friend and his friend's mother.

Jay Larson was found alive in a front yard on Winnetka Drive but succumbed to his injuries soon after being transported to the hospital. It was revealed by Ruth Mendonça, inspector-in-charge of the Chicago office of the US Postal Inspection Service, that Larson had been a mail carrier for 25 years.

Further investigations revealed that Soto forced his way into a home where a woman and her adult son and daughter resided. The assailant stabbed the mother near her left eye as she opened the door to let their dog out. The children fought back and sustained wounds as well. According to the son, the attacker fled after being struck with a syrup bottle.

In another incident, Soto entered a house where 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb and a friend were watching a movie in the basement. Soto was reportedly covered in blood at the time. He proceeded to beat the three teens with a baseball bat, resulting in Jenna's tragic death. Soto then broke into a nearby residence through a window. A woman inside managed to escape, but Soto chased her into the yard and stabbed her. Keith Fahreny, who happened to be passing by, witnessed the attack and intervened. Soto then tried to steal Fahreny's vehicle but was dragged out of the car. He fled on foot but was swiftly apprehended by a sheriff's deputy.

The motive for these chilling attacks is believed to have stemmed from Soto's alleged paranoia following the drug use with Jacob Schupbach. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to gather further evidence.

The Rockford community is in shock and mourning as they come to terms with this senseless tragedy that claimed the lives of four individuals and left many others injured. Counseling and support services have been made available to those affected by this horrific event.