ROCKFORD, Ill. (TCD) — A 22-year-old man faces multiple charges after allegedly breaking into homes, stabbing multiple people, and beating a teen girl to death with a softball bat this week.
In a press conference hosted by the Rockford Police Department, Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley said on March 27, officers responded to multiple addresses on Holmes Street, Winnetka Drive, and Cleveland Avenue, where they found numerous stabbing and beating victims.
Four people died in total: 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb, 23-year-old Jacob Schupbach, 49-year-old Jay Larson, and 63-year-old Romona Schupbach. Seven victims sustained injuries.
Police arrested the suspect, Christian Soto, approximately 20 minutes after the attacks.
According to Hanley, during an interview, Soto told officials he was at Jacob Schupbach’s home smoking marijuana. Soto believed it was laced, and he allegedly became paranoid, grabbed a knife from the kitchen, and stabbed Jacob Schupbach and Romona Schupbach to death.
According to Hanley, investigators allege Soto then attacked a mailman, 49-year-old Jay Larson, while he was on the job. Soto punched him, grabbed a knife, and reportedly stabbed him on various parts of his body before running over him with his truck. Larson was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
Hanley said Soto also forced his way into a home with a Katana-style knife as a female victim let her dog out. Soto allegedly attacked her and her two children. The three victims were transported to the hospital, treated, and released.
In an interview, Soto reportedly said he fled the house because he recalled that the victims had a pit bull that bit him.
According to Hanley, Soto also allegedly attacked three female juveniles with a softball bat while they were watching a movie in the basement of a home. Soto reportedly broke into the residence and grabbed a softball bat from the place before entering the basement. One of the juvenile victims alerted the two others. Soto allegedly struck all three of the females, including Newcomb, who died from her injuries.
Hanley said Soto allegedly broke into another female victim’s home by shattering a glass window. The woman escaped, and Soto reportedly chased the woman and stabbed her. A passerby saw the incident as he was driving by and stopped to assist, according to Hanley. Soto allegedly attacked the passerby as well and tried to steal his vehicle. That’s when officers arrived and took Soto into custody. Hanley said the last two victims were transported to a hospital, and the male passerby remains intubated.
According to a press release from the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office, Soto faces four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of home invasion. More charges are possible. Soto remains held in the Winnebago County Jail without bond.
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