Rockford, Illinois - In a tragic incident, an 18-year-old Walmart employee lost their life after being stabbed by a fellow customer on Sunday night. The suspect, identified as Timothy Carter, 28, has been taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder, according to the Rockford Police.

The incident occurred at the Walmart located on Northridge Drive around 6:05 p.m. Surveillance video from the store captured Carter grabbing two knives from the store shelves - a silver kitchen knife and a red hunting knife. Witnesses claim that Carter then proceeded to give "dirty looks" to African American individuals within the store.

According to court documents, Carter approached the victim from behind and stabbed them in the back. The victim reportedly screamed for help as onlookers watched in horror. One witness even heard Carter utter a racial slur after the stabbing occurred.

Law enforcement arrived at the scene promptly, and Carter made no attempt to flee, remaining inside the store until his arrest. During questioning, Carter informed authorities that he had experienced a mental health crisis earlier that day and had sought treatment. However, he claimed to have been turned away, leading to his intent to harm himself.

The victim was rushed to Javon Bea Mercyhealth Riverside for emergency medical treatment but tragically succumbed to their wounds. Although the identity of the victim has not been disclosed, their untimely death has sent shockwaves through the community.

Carter, a resident of Cabery, Illinois, is scheduled for his initial court appearance on Monday at 1:30 p.m. as he faces the serious charge of first-degree murder. Meanwhile, Walmart has decided to keep its doors closed in the wake of the incident.

The heartbreaking incident has raised concerns over mental health crisis response and the safety of employees and customers in public spaces. As the investigation unfolds, authorities will delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding Carter's actions, aiming to bring justice to the victim and their grieving loved ones.

The Rockford community stands united in mourning for the loss of a young life, and local authorities are committed to ensuring that such tragic events are thoroughly addressed and prevented in the future.