Rockford Sun

Judge Joe McGrath has called upon his constituents to pray for the victims, families, and first responders involved in the March 27 stabbing incident in Rockford. McGrath is currently running as the Republican candidate for the Illinois 17th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"It was heartbreaking to hear about the violent attacks in Rockford yesterday," said Judge Joe Mcgraw, according to Facebook. "I want to thank our local first responders for their decisive action and courage in stopping the attack. Please join me in praying for the victims, families, and all those affected in our community."

The incident that McGrath referred to was a series of stabbings and attacks that took place in and around Rockford on March 27. According to NBC News, four people lost their lives in this tragic event, including a 15-year-old girl, while seven others were injured.

Screenshot of Judge Joe McGraw's March 28 Facebook post | Judge Joe McGraw Facebook page

The suspect, Christian Soto, aged 22, has been apprehended and charged with multiple counts of murder, attempted murder and home invasion. NBC News also reports that Soto was acquainted with at least one of his victims, Jacob Schupbach. Among the other victims were Ramona Schupbach, aged 63; Jay Larson, a mail carrier who succumbed to his injuries in hospital after suffering multiple stab wounds; and Jenna Newcomb, a 15-year-old girl who died following an attack where Soto reportedly used a softball bat.

According to BBC News, Soto attributed his actions to marijuana he claimed was laced with an unknown drug. The report further stated that these attacks resulting in four deaths and seven injuries occurred within a span of 20 minutes in one neighborhood.

McGrath announced his candidacy for the 17th Congressional District seat in mid-October. A former prosecutor, private attorney, and retired Circuit Court judge himself, he plans to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), who narrowly won the 17th District seat in 2022. McGrath's campaign is built on law-and-order principles; he aims to leverage his judicial background to address urban crime and immigration issues while striving to end corruption. As per his campaign website's statement: "The district is the best place in Illinois to live, work, and raise a family, but it takes grit and determination to keep it that way."

The 17th Congressional District comprises Carroll, Fulton, Henry, Knox, McDonough, Mercer, McLean, Peoria, Rock Island, Stephenson, Tazewell, Warren, Whiteside and Winnebago counties. This information is according to the map available on the Census Bureau’s website. The incumbent representative of this district is Congressman Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), who is seeking reelection.