Attempted Murder Charges Filed in Crystal Lake Stabbing

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — A 42-year-old Rockton man faces attempted murder charges for allegedly injuring three men in a stabbing in Crystal Lake Thursday night, police said. Charles A. Hightower is in custody at the McHenry County Jail as he awaits a bond hearing, and two of the men injured in the stabbing remain hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said Friday morning.

Hightower is charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of aggravated battery in the stabbing, which occurred in the 100 block of Edgewood Avenue around 7:30 p.m. following a "domestic situation," police said. Hightower fled the scene following the stabbing but was later arrested, according to authorities.

Police officers first at the scene Thursday found three men with knife wounds, according to a news release from the Crystal Lake Police Department. Two of the men suffered stab wounds to the abdomen and a third man had lacerations on his arm, police said.

Paramedics treated all victims at the scene and transported the two with injuries to their abdomen to a hospital, police said. The third man was treated and released.

As of Friday morning, the conditions of the two men who are hospitalized had stabilized, but they remained in critical condition.

Patch will update with more details. Check back for updates.