The charging documents list four counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted first-degree murder. All of it, prosecutors say, happened in about 20 minutes on a Wednesday afternoon in Rockford, Illinois.
Christian Ivan Soto, 22, of Rockford, was also charged with home invasion and is being held in the Winnebago County Jail without bond. The county state’s attorney, J. Hanley, said he expects more charges once the case goes to a grand jury. Each murder count carries a maximum of 60 years in prison.
The timeline
The attacks began around 1:15 p.m. on March 27, 2024. According to Hanley, Soto first killed his childhood friend, 23-year-old Jacob Schupbach, and Schupbach’s mother, 63-year-old Ramona Schupbach, at their home. Soto told detectives he had smoked marijuana there, became paranoid that it was laced with an unknown drug, and took a knife from the kitchen. Hanley said Soto admitted to the killings.
He then stabbed and ran over Jay Larson, 49, a mail carrier, with a pickup truck. Craig Garr, a witness, said the attack happened in front of his house. He called out to Soto. “He said, ‘He stole money from me.’ I just shook my head,” Garr said. Soto looked “very delusional, like he’s on drugs,” he said.
From there, Soto went into other homes. In one, three girls were watching a movie on spring break when he attacked them with a bat. Jenna Newcomb, 15, died. Mayor Tom McNamara said she “died saving her sister and friend, protecting them from further harm.”
The last victims were a young woman stabbed in the face and hands as she tried to get away, and the Good Samaritan who stopped to help her. Police arrested Soto while that attack was under way. Officials said no one else was involved.
The victims
The Winnebago County Coroner identified the dead as Newcomb, Jacob and Ramona Schupbach, and Larson. Larson had delivered mail in Rockford for 25 years, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said. Ruth Gallagher, a longtime customer on his route, remembered him as “the kindest person.” “He would help anybody,” she said. “We will miss him.”
Dozens of people gathered near the scene on Thursday for a vigil with local faith leaders and politicians. Police Chief Carla Redd, who spoke there, said the department was hurting. “This cuts you at the root,” she said. “The officers that had to be the first ones on scene, and see the victims in those conditions, this is not easy.” Counselors were available at Flinn Middle School.
President Joe Biden said in a statement that he and Jill Biden were “horrified to learn of the brutal attack.” He thanked local law enforcement for confronting the suspect and preventing “the loss of more innocent life.”
Sources
- 2024 Rockford stabbings – Wikipedia
- Man faces multiple murder charges in Rockford, Illinois stabbing attack that left 4 dead, 7 injured
- Man faces multiple murder charges in Rockford, Illinois stabbing attack that left 4 dead, 7 injured
