ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Police have charged Timothy Carter, 28, with murder after he allegedly stabbed an 18-year-old Walmart employee to death Sunday night.
According to Rockford Police, officers were called to the Walmart, at 3849 Northridge Drive, around 6:05 p.m.
According to the criminal complaint, surveillance video from the store showed Carter grabbing two knives off of the store shelves — a silver kitchen knife, and a red hunting knife — and then wandering around the store “giving all of the African American people dirty looks.”
He then reportedly walked up behind the employee, Jason Jenkins, and stabbed him once in the back, according to the court documents.
Witnesses said they heard the victim screaming for help. One told police they heard Carter utter a racial slur after the stabbing.
Carter remained in the store until police arrived and took him into custody.
According to the arrest report, Carter told authorities that he was having a mental health crisis earlier that afternoon and sought mental health treatment, but told police he was turned away and wanted to kill himself.
Jenkins was taken to Javon Bea Mercyhealth Riverside where he later died from his wounds.
Carter was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder.
According to police, Carter has no Rockford address but has lived in Cabery, Illinois. He is due to make his initial appearance in court on Monday at 1:30 p.m.
Walmart remains closed after the incident.
Walmart issued a statement on Monday, saying, “We’re devastated to learn that one of our associates has died following a violent attack inside our Rockford, IL store. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and will continue providing our associates with the support they need.
Actions like this are inexcusable, and we’re grateful to law enforcement for their swift action in arresting the presumed attacker. We’ll continue helping them in every possible way throughout their investigation.”