Charles A. Hightower, 38, of Rockton.

A 38-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after two men were critically injured after being stabbed and a third man was slashed inside a Crystal Lake home Thursday evening, police said.

Charles A. Hightower, 38, of Rockton, was charged with two counts of attempted murder, a Class X felony, and one count of aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony.

The Crystal Lake Fire/Rescue Department and Crystal Lake Police Department responded around 7:29 p.m. Thursday to the 100 block of Edgewood Avenue for a report of three people stabbed.

Police officers found two men with stab wounds to the abdomen and a third man with minor lacerations to his arm, Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Thomas Kotlowski said.

Paramedics transported the two men with stab wounds to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital. The third man was released from medical care at the scene.

[Suggested Article]  14 years in prison for 19-year-old man who fired shot at occupied home in Crystal Lake

One of the men hospitalized was later flown by helicopter to another hospital for additional treatment. Both of the men have been stabilized but remain in critical condition.

The offender, identified as Hightower, fled the scene before police arrived. Responding officers quickly located the man and took him into custody without incident, Kotlowski said.

“This was an isolated incident related to a domestic issue. There is no danger to the public. This case remains an active investigation,” Kotlowski said.

Hightower was transported to the McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.