Joliet, Illinois – The usually quiet and safe neighborhood on West Acres Road was the scene of a horrific crime, as police vehicles and orange cones blocked access to two homes where the fatal shootings of eight people took place. The suspect, 23-year-old Romeo Nance, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being pursued by U.S. marshals in Texas.
Residents in the neighborhood expressed shock and fear after learning about the shooting, with one resident, Ruben Dunaven, stating, “This is supposed to be the nicer part of Joliet.” The search for Nance ended in Texas, where he died following a confrontation with law enforcement at a gas station.
Joliet police Chief Williams Evans described the crime scene as the worst he has ever seen in his 29 years as a policeman. The victims, found in two different homes, all appeared to have died from gunshot wounds. The Medina County sheriff’s office in Texas, where Nance was found, declined to comment on the case, stating that the Texas Department of Public Safety is handling the investigation.
Deputies from the Will County sheriff’s office discovered the seven victims while investigating another shooting that took place at the Pheasant Run Apartments in unincorporated Joliet Township. Authorities have yet to determine a motive for the killings, but they have confirmed that Nance knew the victims. No age range of the victims has been released.
In January 2023, Nance faced multiple charges related to firearms and unlawful use of a weapon. He also had three other open cases in Will County and had been cited for traffic violations multiple times. His criminal history includes a previous charge of unlawful discharge of a weapon in a road rage incident.
The tragic event has shaken the quiet community and left residents feeling uneasy and on edge after the suspect’s death. Further updates on the investigation are expected to be provided during a scheduled news conference at Joliet City Hall.