Heroes of Rockford deadly mass stabbing honored life-saving actions

A Winnebago County sheriff's deputy and a good Samaritan were recognized Thursday for their life-saving actions during a deadly mass stabbing in Rockford that claimed the lives of four people and injured several more.

Sheriff Gary Caruana and County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli presented Deputy Michael Gambino and Rockford resident Keith Fahrney awards for their bravery in helping to put an end to a killing spree.

Fahrney was driving through his southeast side neighborhood on March 27 when he saw a man attacking and stabbing a woman in a front yard. Fahrney got out of his vehicle and fought the man off of the woman, getting attacked himself in the process.

"I always believed you've got to help other people," Fahrney said Thursday at the Winnebago County Board meeting where he and Gambino were honored.

More: Rockford man lauded as a hero, good Samaritan for his actions during mass stabbing

Gambino was one of the first law enforcement officers on the scene. He chased after the alleged assailant, later identified as 22-year-old Christian Soto, through the neighborhood before finally subduing him and bringing him into custody.

The victims of the March 27 attacks were killed within blocks of each other. Mother and son, Romona Shupbach and Jacob Shupbach, stabbed to death their home, U.S. Postal Service letter carrier Jay Larson was stabbed and run over with a truck while on his route and 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb was beaten to death in her home.

Soto faces multiple counts of first-degree murder among other charges.

Also at Thursday night's county board meeting, Cassidy Davenport, a senior at Hononegah High School was honored for saving a choking child at the Machesney Park Target store.

Chris Green is a Rockford Register Star general assignment reporter. He can be reached at 815-987-1241, via email at cgreen@rrstar.com and X @chrisfgreen

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Heroes of Rockford deadly mass stabbing attack recognized for bravery