Names of victims killed in Rockford stabbing attack released

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Authorities released the names of the four people killed Wednesday during an attack in a southeast Rockford neighborhood.

They are:

Ramona Schupbach, 63

Jacob Schupbach, 23

Jay Larson, 49

Jenna Newcomb, 15

During a news conference Thursday, a tearful Mayor McNamara said Jenna’s mother wanted people to know that Jenna died protecting her sister and her friend.

Ruth Mendoza, Inspector in Charge for the US Postal Inspection Service-Chicago said Jay Larson was a 25-year veteran of the United States Postal Service and died on the job while delivering mail.

The suspect in the case is 22-year-old Christian Soto. He is charged with several counts of murder and attempted murder. In addition to the four killed, five others were hurt in the city of Rockford. Four of the injured were treated and released and one is still in the hospital in stable condition, according to Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd. Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana says two more people, a woman and a good Samaritan, are also in the hospital in relation to the attack.

Court records show Soto lives on Upland Drive, which is in the same neighborhood the attacks took place. Chief Redd said Soto and Jacob Schupbach grew up together and had been friends for a long time.

The City of Rockford is partnering with Rosecrance and Rockford Public Schools to offer free emotional support and counseling services to loved ones and residents of the neighborhood. The services will be available 9 am to 8 pm Thursday, March 28, and 9 am to 5 pm Friday, March 29, at Flinn Middle School, 525 Ohio Parkway.

This story is developing and will be updated throughout the day with more information.

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