JOLIET, Ill. – In a quiet neighborhood in Joliet, Illinois, a shocking crime scene has left residents reeling in fear. Prior to his death by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities had been in pursuit of 23-year-old Romeo Nance, the suspect wanted in connection to the fatal shootings of eight people in the area. As of Tuesday morning, only one victim had been identified by officials – 28-year-old Toyosi Bakare, originally from Nigeria.
The search for Nance came to an end in Texas after a call to the Medina County sheriff’s office reported his presence in the area. Tragically, Nance took his own life following a confrontation with law enforcement at a gas station in Natalia, Texas. The motive for Nance’s journey to Texas remains unclear.
Back in Joliet, police discovered the devastating crime scene in two homes on West Acres Road. Five people were found dead in one home, while the other home contained two victims, all appearing to have died from gunshot wounds. The investigation into the case is being handled by the Texas Department of Public Safety, and authorities in Joliet emphasized that the motive for the killings remains unknown.
Residents in the area expressed their shock and fear, with one neighbor stating, “This is supposed to be the nicer part of Joliet.” The tragic event has shaken the typically quiet and safe community, leaving many feeling vulnerable and unsettled.
Deputy chief Dan Jungles with the Will County sheriff’s office revealed that this crime scene follows another shooting at the Pheasant Run Apartments in unincorporated Joliet Township, making this a particularly distressing time for the community. With multiple open cases and previous charges against Nance, the community is left searching for answers about the senseless violence that has disrupted their lives.
As the investigation continues, residents are left grappling with the shock and trauma of the events that have unfolded in their neighborhood. The tragic loss of life and the unanswered questions surrounding the motive for the killings have left the community in mourning.