Rockford, Illinois – A survivor of a brutal stabbing spree in Rockford, Illinois, that resulted in four deaths has vividly described the look of joy on the assailant’s face during the horrific attack. Christian Soto, 22, faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and home invasion in connection with the rampage that also left six others injured. The victims of this tragic incident included Jacob Schupbach, 23, Ramona Schupbach, 63, mailman Jay Larson, and Jenna Newcomb, 15.
One particularly harrowing account comes from Darlene Weber, a mother who narrowly escaped the attack, sustaining injuries to her face and hands. The assailant, Soto, broke into Weber’s home in Rockford, Illinois, while she was inside with her children, Jacob Vollman, 21, and Cathy Gilfillan, 23. Weber recounted the chilling moment when Soto stabbed her in the face after she took her pit bull, Brady, to the back door. As she crawled back into the house seeking help, Brady bravely attacked the assailant.
Vollman came to his mother’s aid after hearing her cries for help and courageously confronted the attacker head-on. Weber dialed 911 as Vollman fended off Soto, who then targeted Gilfillan. Mistaking Soto for a friend of her brother at first, Gilfillan found herself in a terrifying situation when he attacked her. Fortunately, her brother was able to intervene, forcing the assailant to flee.
Weber and Gilfitan both expressed gratitude for Vollman’s heroic actions, acknowledging that he was the reason the attack did not end in tragedy for their family. Soto, covered in blood, then entered their home and unleashed chaos, prompting an intense struggle that could have had much bleaker consequences if not for Vollman’s quick thinking and bravery.
Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley revealed that Soto confessed to the crimes, claiming he had been under the influence of drugs at the time of the attacks. According to Hanley, Soto reported that he had consumed marijuana that he believed was laced with an unknown narcotic, triggering the violent outburst that resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries across Rockford and Winnebago County. The terrifying events that unfolded shed light on the impact of substance abuse and its potentially devastating consequences on individuals and communities.