Joliet, Illinois – Authorities in Joliet, Illinois, believe Romeo Nance, the suspect in a mass murder case, is responsible for killing eight people, including two teenage girls, before taking his own life. The grisly crime spree took place on Sunday, and police discovered the victims the following day. The shocking incident has left the community reeling and law enforcement grappling with the aftermath.
Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans stated that Nance, 23, is suspected of fatally shooting seven individuals, the majority of whom were relatives, at two separate homes in the 2200 block of West Acres Road. Two “random” shootings also occurred in the area before Nance fled Will County. The victims included two young girls, three women, and three men. In addition, another man was wounded during the rampage. The motive for the massacre remains unknown.
The authorities believe that Nance committed the initial shootings on Sunday afternoon before the discovery of the bodies on Monday. The victims were identified as a 20-year-old woman, a 38-year-old woman, a 31-year-old man, a 47-year-old woman, and a 35-year-old man. The coroner’s office confirmed their identities and stated that the names of the two teenage girls have not been released.
Evans described the crime scene as one of the worst he has ever encountered in his 29 years as a police officer. As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are working to establish the exact relationships between Nance and the victims.
Following the shootings at the two residences, Nance was involved in two additional shootings on the same day. One of the victims was fatally shot, while the other sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to Deputy Dan Jungles of the Will County sheriff’s office. The motive behind these shootings remains unclear.
After Nance fled the area, law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, initiated a search. They tracked Nance to a town in Texas, where he was eventually cornered. The pursuit ended when Nance fatally shot himself outside a gas station as officers closed in on him.
Additionally, Nance had an extensive criminal history, including prior charges related to a shooting and an attempt to evade arrest. Court records indicated that Nance had been out on bond for a shooting incident that occurred the previous year. However, no further details were provided.