Man fatally stabs intruder with kitchen knife as he breaks in through window, cops say

A 44-year-old man was killed with a kitchen knife after he tried breaking into someone’s home, according to police in Illinois.

Officers with the Rockford Police Department were called to the home at about 1:50 a.m. Thursday, March 16.

The residents, an adult man and woman, reported a man tried to force his way through their door, according to a news release shared on Facebook. They said they were able to block the door, preventing it from being pushed open.

But then the home intruder “broke out a window,” authorities said, and struck one of the residents with lumber.

“As the suspect continued to attempt to gain entry, the male resident retrieved a kitchen knife and was able to strike the suspect in the neck/shoulder area,” police said. “He fled after being stabbed and was located in the street in front of the residence.”

Upon arrival, officers “immediately began life-saving measures,” police said, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities ask anyone with additional information to call police at 815-966-2900.

Rockford is about 90 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.

This story was originally published March 16, 2023 at 4:28 PM with the headline "Man fatally stabs intruder with kitchen knife as he breaks in through window, cops say."