China News Service, March 29. According to the American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the suspect who stabbed someone in Rockford, Illinois, USA on the 27th local time confessed that he committed the crime after smoking marijuana. Two new injuries were reported in the case, resulting in a total of 4 deaths and 7 injuries.
According to ABC reports, the suspect is 22-year-old Christian Soto. According to Hanley, the prosecutor of Winnebago County, where Rockford is located, on the 28th local time, Soto told investigators that he was in a state of marijuana at the time of the crime and that he obtained the marijuana from a victim. , Soto believed that marijuana was mixed with powerful narcotic drugs.
According to reports, Soto was smoking marijuana together at the home of his friend Jacob before the injury. He claimed that he became "paranoid" after taking drugs, took a knife from the kitchen of Jacob's house, and injured Jacob and Jacob with the knife. Another 63-year-old woman in Bu's family, Romona. Witnesses said Soto also drove down Jacob as he ran out of the house. Jacob and Romona both died tragically. Soto then attacked several more people.
Prosecutor Hanley also said Soto was conscious during the crimes and was able to recall details of each attack when interviewed by investigators. Hanley said no firm conclusion has been made as to a possible motive for the crime.
According to reports, Soto currently faces four counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder. On the afternoon of the 28th local time, Soto was summoned.
According to reports, initially the police said that a total of 4 people were killed and 5 injured. Subsequently, the county Sheriff's Office confirmed on the 28th that there were two additional injuries related to the incident. Currently, one of the seven injured is still in critical condition, and four others are seriously injured.
According to reports, U.S. President Biden issued a statement on the afternoon of the 28th local time, saying that he and First Lady Jill Biden were aware of the stabbing incident in Rockford. Biden said he prayed for the families who lost their loved ones and hoped that the injured would make a full recovery. Biden also thanked local law enforcement for their heroic actions, saying that every effort will be made to help people recover from this incident.
According to USA Today, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration stated that marijuana is classified as a "Schedule I" drug along with heroin, LSD and ecstasy under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I drugs have "a high potential for abuse and the potential to cause severe psychological and/or physical dependence."
Forbes News previously reported that the Pew Research Center, an American think tank, found that 54% of Americans live in states where the recreational use of marijuana is legal. As of February 2024, a total of 24 states in the United States (as well as the District of Columbia) have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. The report mentioned that a Gallup poll showed that 70% of Americans surveyed support the legalization of marijuana.