Brett Carlson, a 26-year-old man from Midlothian, Texas, lived a life that was, to some, marked by mystery and erratic behavior leading up to his violent actions. On June 4, 2004, Carlson committed an unprovoked attack at a strip mall in Midlothian, Texas, where he brutally stabbed six people, one of whom, 1-year-old Ashley Hurt, died from her injuries. The incident left many shaken and led to a series of investigations into Carlson’s past.

Before the attack, Carlson’s history included no major known criminal convictions, but those who knew him reported erratic and sometimes disturbing behavior. His motivations for the attack remain unclear, but the event was marked as an act of senseless violence, taking the life of a young child and leaving others severely wounded.

Carlson's life before the incident involved an unstable personal background, but specific details about his family or upbringing have not been publicly highlighted. The nature of his violent outburst shocked both the local community and law enforcement, leading to his eventual arrest and conviction for the brutal attack.

On June 4, 2004, Brett Carlson committed a brutal act of violence at a strip mall located in Midlothian, a suburb southwest of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois. Armed with a knife, Carlson stabbed six individuals during the attack. Among the victims was a 1-year-old child, Ashley Hurt, who tragically died as a result of her injuries.

The attack unfolded quickly, leaving victims shocked and severely wounded. Law enforcement and emergency medical teams responded to the scene swiftly. Carlson was taken into custody the same day. Details of his arrest suggest there was no extended manhunt, and that he was immediately subdued either at the scene or nearby.

Over the following years, Carlson’s case progressed through the court system. In 2007, he was convicted and sentenced to 50 years in prison. The charges included first-degree murder for the death of Ashley Hurt and attempted murder for the attacks on the other victims.

There was no major media campaign or national trial coverage surrounding the case, and limited information was released to the public regarding courtroom testimony, motives, or any possible psychological evaluations conducted during the trial. The sentencing marked the conclusion of a painful chapter for the families of the victims, but many questions surrounding the attack remain unanswered. As of the latest known update, Brett Carlson is incarcerated and serving his sentence within the Illinois Department of Corrections.