Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd described the incident as "painstaking" and "heinous," noting that not all victims were stabbed and there were no gunshot injuries.

A man, purportedly an adult, reportedly stabbed several victims in the Rockford, Illinois area on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, with one in critical condition and four others stable, as per authorities at a press conference held on Wednesday.

Rockford Police confirmed that among the deceased was a postal worker.

In a release issued late Wednesday night, police stated that the victims included a 15-year-old female, a 63-year-old female, a 49-year-old male, and a 22-year-old male.

Rockford police stated that the suspect, aged 22, was apprehended at 1:35 p.m. No motive is currently known.

The attacks occurred prior to 1:15 p.m., local time, in the vicinity of Holmes Street, Cleveland Avenue, and Eggleston Road, as indicated by authorities, who described it as a "multi-jurisdictional crime scene."

Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana reported a home invasion near the Florence and Eggleston Road intersection. A young woman, who escaped from the property with stab wounds to her hands and face, is in critical condition, Caruana stated. He further mentioned that she is presently intubated.

A "Good Samaritan" who intervened to assist the woman was reportedly stabbed by the suspect as well, Caruana mentioned, but that person is among those in stable condition.

"I can't adequately convey my feelings at this moment; this is an incredibly distressing incident," stated Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd, adding, "This was a despicable crime."

Redd pointed out that not all victims suffered stab wounds in the series of attacks, and there were no gunshot victims.