Update: Authorities have provided an update on Saturday’s stabbing incident in Plainfield.
It was initially reported to police that the boy who was killed was 8 years of age. He was 6. During an autopsy conducted Sunday, the forensic pathologist removed the knife from the abdomen of the boy and determined it was a twelve-inch serrated military style knife that has a seven-inch blade.
Despite the suspect not providing a statement to detectives, investigators gathered sufficient information through interviews and evidence to formally charge him with First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, Hate Crime (2 counts), and Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon.
Detectives were able to determine that the alleged killer was motivated by the terrorist attacks in Israel last weekend. Both victims were Muslim.
An 8-year-old boy is dead and a 32-year-old woman in serious condition after a brutal stabbing incident in Plainfield Saturday morning.
According to police, at approximately 11:38am Saturday morning deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call from a woman who said that her landlord was attacking her with a knife. The woman said that she had run into the bathroom to make the call and was continuing to fend off the attack.
Her residence is located near the 16200 block of S. Lincoln Highway in Unincorporated Plainfield Township.
When police arrived, they located the suspect, a 71-year-old male resident of Plainfield, sitting upright outside on the ground near the driveway of the residence. He had a laceration to his forehead and was later transported to a local area hospital for treatment.
Deputies located the woman and the 8-year-old boy inside the residence in a bedroom. Both victims had multiple stab wounds to their chest, torso, and upper extremities. The woman was transported to a local hospital in serious condition with over a dozen stab wounds to her body. The boy had over a dozen stab wounds to his body and was transported to hospital in critical condition. He later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The suspect was treated and released from a local area hospital and was transported to the Will County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Complex for questioning by detectives. Thus far, no criminal charges have been filed.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, conducting interviews and gathering additional evidence.
Police have been able to determine that there is no further danger to the public. The suspect has been taken into custody and the weapon used in the crime has been recovered.
