Rockford, Illinois – A violent rampage on Cleveland Avenue in Rockford, Illinois has left four people dead, including a mail carrier, and at least five others injured, with one in critical condition. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, involved a man allegedly stabbing multiple people in Rockford and Winnebago County. Despite a suspect being in custody, authorities have not determined a motive for the attacks.
The attacks took place in the area of Cleveland Avenue, Holmes Street, and Eggleston Road, near Alpine Road and Harrison Avenue, as reported by the Rockford and Winnebago County Sheriff’s police. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara expressed the community’s shock, stating, “We are reeling as a community from another senseless act of violence.”
Residents in the area were left stunned and traumatized by the events, with some breaking into tears and others scrambling to locate the assailant. Witness accounts described the chaos, with reports of two bloody teenagers and a woman with a neck wound being rushed to ambulances. Additionally, evidence of a mail carrier being struck by a vehicle and attacked was found, adding to the horror of the situation.
Law enforcement officials cordoned off sections of neighborhoods with yellow police crime scene tape as they conducted investigations. Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana confirmed that a witness who tried to apprehend the suspect at the initial crime scene was also stabbed but suffered no life-threatening injuries.
Neighborhood residents mourned the loss of the victims, with one neighbor, Cassandra Hernandez, reflecting on the tragedy and expressing disbelief that such violence could occur in their community. Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd emphasized the importance of cooperation from the public, urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the violent spree, authorities continue to search for answers and seek justice for the victims. The impact of the tragedy has reverberated throughout Rockford, prompting reflections on the senselessness of such acts of violence.