A series of attacks in a southeast neighborhood of Rockford, Illinois on Wednesday afternoon has left four people dead, including a mail carrier, and five others injured. The Rockford Police have confirmed that a suspect is now in custody.

The incident began around 1:15 p.m. when authorities were called to the 2300 block of Holmes Street. According to Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana, the suspect was involved in a home invasion on Florence Street, resulting in a female victim being treated for stab wounds. Additionally, a brave bystander who intervened during the attack is also receiving medical care.

The suspect then proceeded to target multiple victims in different locations within the neighborhood. The attacks occurred in the 2100 block of Eggleston Road and the 4800 block of Cleveland Avenue. The neighborhood is situated between Charles Street and Harrison Avenue, east of N. Alpine Road.

During a press conference held later in the afternoon, Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd provided an update on the grim situation. She revealed that four individuals had tragically lost their lives, one person was in critical condition, and four others were hospitalized in stable condition due to the attacks. Chief Redd highlighted that not all of the victims were stabbed, and at this time, there is no known motive for the crimes.

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara expressed shock and sadness in a statement following the incident. He reassured the community that the suspect is now in custody, and the immediate threat has been neutralized. Mayor McNamara emphasized the importance of supporting the community members affected by this violence and pledged to work with partner organizations to provide them with the necessary support and services.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are currently involved in investigating the crime scenes to better understand the events that unfolded, with the aim of preventing similar incidents in the future. Updates on the ongoing investigation will be provided as they become available.

The Rockford community is grappling with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence and coming to terms with the loss of innocent lives. It is a reminder of the need for communities to unite against such acts and support one another during times of tragedy.