Natalia, Texas – A suspect in the fatal shooting of eight people in the Joliet area was found by federal authorities in Texas, where he died by suicide following a confrontation with police. Identified as 23-year-old Romeo Nance, he was located by agents from the U.S. Marshals’ Office near Natalia, which is approximately 30 miles southwest of San Antonio, at 8:30 p.m. on Monday.
Joliet police had been searching for Nance after the discovery of seven people shot to death in two separate homes in the 2200 block of West Acres Road and an eighth person killed in a shooting the day before in the township area. It is believed that Nance took his own life with a handgun after a confrontation with Texas law enforcement officials.
This tragic incident has shocked the community, with Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans describing it as “the worst crime scene I’ve ever been associated with” during a news conference. The victims, who are believed to be related, have left the community reeling with shock and disbelief.
Authorities have connected the West Acre Road killings to the deadly shooting of Toyosi Bakare, a former resident of Nigeria, on Sunday in Joliet Township, as well as the shooting of a 42-year-old man in the 200 block of Davis Street in Joliet. Both shootings, which took place about 10 minutes apart, were described as “random in nature” by Will County sheriff’s officials.
The hunt for Nance involved collaboration between the Joliet Police Department, the Will County Sheriff’s Office, and an FBI fugitive task force. Chief Evans urged the public to contact the police if they come into contact with Nance, emphasizing the department’s commitment to bringing the responsible party to justice.
The shocking nature of the incidents has left neighbors frightened and unsure of what to do with the suspect still at large. The community is grappling with fear and uncertainty, with residents expressing their concerns and hoping for a swift resolution to the situation for the safety of all.
Nance’s troubled past also came to light, with reports of a previous arrest in 2023 for a car chase in which he shot repeatedly at a woman in another vehicle. With a history of violent behavior, Nance’s release on bond and subsequent involvement in a series of fatal shootings have raised questions about the justice system’s handling of such cases.
As the investigation continues and the community mourns the loss of the victims, there is a collective hope for closure and justice in the wake of this devastating tragedy.