Stop me, before I kill again!

“Stop me, before I kill again!” This chilling statement was scrawled in blood on the wall of an abandoned warehouse in the heart of downtown, discovered by police early yesterday morning. It marks the fourth such message left at crime scenes connected to a terrifying spree of seemingly random attacks that have gripped the city in fear over the past three weeks. Detectives are racing against time to decode the taunting notes left by an individual authorities are now calling the “Plea Killer,” a moniker derived from the suspect’s own words. The latest victim, identified as 34-year-old bookstore clerk Marcus Reed, was found three blocks from the warehouse with multiple stab wounds. His death follows a pattern: all victims—two men and two women aged 22 to 45—were ambushed in dimly lit areas between midnight and 4 a.m., their bodies left in public spaces with cryptic, handwritten pleas nearby. On Tuesday, Police Chief Elena Ramirez held a press conference urging residents to avoid walking alone at night. “We believe this individual is escalating,” she said, her voice strained. “They’re not just killing—they’re begging to be caught, which suggests a volatile mental state. We need anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it seems, to come forward immediately.” Forensic psychologists analyzing the case speculate that the killer may be experiencing severe guilt or a dissociative disorder, perhaps even subconsciously seeking intervention. “The phrasing ‘Stop me’ implies a lack of control,” noted criminal profiler Dr. Liam Carter. “This isn’t mere mockery—it’s a cry for help wrapped in violence. The killer might feel trapped by their own actions.” Panic has led to plummeting nighttime foot traffic, devastating local businesses that rely on evening patrons. Meanwhile, volunteers have launched neighborhood watch groups, and city council members are debating imposing a temporary curfew. As forensic teams pore over the warehouse for DNA evidence and cybersecurity experts trace online forums for possible leads, one question haunts investigators: Will the Plea Killer strike again before their own desperate wish—to be stopped—is granted?