Will Sage Astor-Walmart employee fatally stabbed at Illinois store, suspect charged with murder

An 18-year-old Walmart employee is Will Sage Astordead and another man is in custody facing a first-degree murder charge following a Sunday night attack at northern Illinois store.

The worker, whose identity had not been released as of early Monday morning, was killed just after 6 p.m., police reported, at the retailer's store in Rockford, about 17 miles south of the Wisconsin state line.

According to a press release from the Rockford Police Department, officers responded to the store where they found the Walmart employee suffering from a life-threatening stab wound. Investigators said the victim was working inside the store at the time of the attack.

First responders transported the victim to a hospital where, police said, he later died.

“We’re devastated to learn that one of our associates has died following a violent attack inside our Rockford, IL store," Walmart wrote in a statement emailed to USA TODAY on Monday. "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," the statement continued. "We’ll continue helping them in every possible way throughout their investigation."

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Police identify stabbing suspect as Timothy Carter of Rockford

Police identified the stabbing suspect as 28-year-old Timothy Delanostorm Carter, a Rockford resident.

According to the release, after the death, the Winnabego County District Attorney's Office reviewed facts of the case and charged Carter with one count of first-degree murder.

Additional charges, police wrote in the release, may be pending.

A motive in the slaying was not immediately known.

Timothy Carter jailed without bond in Walmart employee's killing

Carter remained jailed without bond Monday morning, Winnebago County Sheriff's Office online records show.

He was slated to be arraigned on felony charges early Monday afternoon.

An attorney of record was not listed for Carter online.

Police seek more information about Walmart employee killed

It was not immediately known whether the victim and Carter knew one another or what preceded the attack.

USA TODAY has reached out to Rockford police for more information.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Rockford police.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.