Rockford neighbors shocked to learn mass stabbing suspect lived in neighborhood
Michael Gustafson, a lifelong Holmes Street resident, was shocked to learn four people were killed and seven injured during a mass stabbing in his Rockford neighborhood last week.
But the bigger shock came when he learned who police arrested for the crime — Christian Soto, a 22-year-old man who lived right around the corner from Gustafson.
"I was totally surprised," he said.
Gustafson said Soto's family has been living in the home in the 4700 block of Upland Drive for about 10 years, and he never witnessed any trouble there.
He said Soto took good care of his family's yard. He also said a man, who he believed to be the family's patriarch, died not too long ago from COVID.
More: Officials release names of victims, other details from killing spree in Rockford
Another neighbor said Soto frequently walked a friendly white dog through the neighborhood.
Veronica Lares and her 12-year-old son, Jaydan Lopez, both Winnetka Drive residents, were among several hundred people attending a community vigil after the attacks.
Lares said she knew mailman Jay Larson, one of four people killed that day, and she also knows Soto.
Like Soto, Lares has a dog that she walks in the neighborhood.
"So, he'd always stop by every time on his walk because his dog always wanted to interact with my dog," Lares said. "So, you know, we had conversations with him.
"And over the summer, he was always out there washing his truck. He took a lot of pride in it, you know? He was like your typical 22 year old. He would listen to music and stuff like that."
Chris Green is a Rockford Register Star genral assignment reporter. He can be reached at 815-987-1241, via email at cgreen@rrstar.com and Twitter @chrisfgreen.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Neighbors: Rockford killing spree suspect took care of family yard
