Four family members and a dog were stabbed during a violent home invasion in north suburban Buffalo Grove early Wednesday.
Authorities say it was just after midnight when two masked suspects burst into a home in the 400 block of St. Mary’s Parkway, violently stabbing one teenager, three adults and the family’s German Shepard.
The single-story home was found to have several broken windows and the front door forced open.
Police were told that at the height of the attack one of the masked men was repeatedly stabbing the 49-year-old man who owned the home with a large hunting knife.
Three other family members — two men and a 16-year-old girl — were also stabbed, as well as the dog, police said. A fourth person was also in the house at the time, according to police, but was not injured.
At one point during the struggle, the homeowner was able to grab a gun and fired shots, police said, scaring the two men off.
Buffalo Grove Deputy Police Chief Roy Bethge said despite the frightening nature of the, residents of the community do not need to be on alert as they believe the home was targeted.
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“It is odd to happen,” Bethge said. “We certainly understand that it raises the community’s concern, as it should. As I indicated initially, this is not a random crime. There is no ongoing threat to the community.”
One neighbor, Amy Foley, told NBC5 it still isn’t enough to ease her concern.
“It helps a little but it’s still very disturbing and troubling to know that that happened so close to your home where you have this false sense of security,” Foley said.
Another neighbor, Scott Nelson, said he has never heard of anything like the gruesome attack happening in Buffalo Grove before.
"I got goosebumps when I heard the story of what happened," Nelson said.
Paramedics transported the four victims to area hospitals to be treated for non-life threatening injuries, police said. The German Shepherd is also expected to recover after being taken by police to a local animal clinic.
Hours later, three persons of interest were taken into custody for questioning after being pulled over during a traffic stop near Lake Cook and Weiland Road. Buffalo Grove police said two of the three arrested matched the descriptions given of the offenders. Authorities later found evidence in the vehicle indicating their involvement, including bloody clothes and a "blood stained" hunting knife.
Further details surrounding the motive surrounding the attack was not immediately made available.
