In a horrifying incident that has shocked the community, a 22-year-old Illinois man has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder for a stabbing spree that claimed the lives of four people, including a 15-year-old girl. The suspect, Christian Soto, also faces seven counts of attempted murder and home invasion with a dangerous weapon.

The tragic events unfolded on Wednesday in Rockford, Illinois, as Soto went on a rampage across multiple locations. Authorities revealed during a press conference on Thursday that Soto stabbed and killed three of his victims at the locations where the attacks occurred, while the fourth victim succumbed to injuries at a hospital.

Among the victims were Jacob Schupbach, 22, Ramona Schupbach, 63, Jay Larson, 49, and 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb. Larson, a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service, was deliberately targeted by Soto, who ran him down with a car before stabbing him.

Based on police investigations, Soto claimed to be friends with Jacob and went to his house to consume drugs. However, he alleged that the drugs had been tampered with and caused him to become erratic, prompting him to grab a knife from the kitchen and fatally stab both Jacob and Ramona.

After leaving the house, Soto continued his violent spree. He broke into another residence and attacked three juvenile females with a softball bat found in the kitchen. Two of the girls sustained injuries, while the third tragically lost her life.

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara shared the heart-wrenching account that Jenna's mother stated that her daughter died while bravely protecting her sister and friend from further harm.

Soto's crime spree extended to yet another home, where he stabbed a woman. In a fortunate turn of events, a passing good Samaritan intervened, only to be stabbed as well. Authorities arrived at the scene and apprehended Soto after a pursuit that involved jumping over multiple fences. During the arrest, a deputy was assaulted and stabbed in the hand.

The Rockford Police Chief, Carla Redd, reported that three of the injured victims remain hospitalized, while four others have been treated and released.

Soto is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday afternoon, where he will hear the charges against him. A judge will also determine whether he will remain in custody pending trial. This tragic incident has left the community in shock, as they grapple with the loss of innocent lives and pray for the recovery of those injured.