Joliet, Illinois – The manhunt for the suspect in the shooting deaths of seven people in Joliet has come to a tragic end. The suspect, 23-year-old Romeo Nance, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being confronted by law enforcement officials in Texas on Monday night. The shootings took place on Joliet’s West Side, prompting an extensive search for Nance, who was considered armed and dangerous. The authorities had urged the public to call 911 immediately if they spotted Nance, who was believed to be driving a red Toyota Camry with the license plate Q730412.
The events leading up to the extensive manhunt began when the Will County Sheriff’s Office notified Joliet police of an incident in the 2200 block of West Acres. This was after law enforcement conducted surveillance in connection with two previous shootings that had occurred in the area. The investigation led to the discovery of seven people shot to death, with authorities finding five deceased individuals at one residence and two at another. Subsequent developments and the manhunt led multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI’s Fugitive Task Force, to join the search for the suspected shooter.
The first of the incidents on Sunday occurred in the 200 block of Davis Street, where a 42-year-old man sustained non-life threatening injuries after being shot in the leg. Another shooting was reported at the Pheasant Run apartment complex in unincorporated Joliet Township, resulting in the death of a 28-year-old man, Toyosi Bakare. Nance’s red Toyota Camry was seen in the area of both shootings shortly before the incidents took place. Law enforcement determined that the shootings were random and not connected.
As of late Monday evening, the Will County Coroner’s Office had yet to identify any of the victims, but Police Chief Bill Evans revealed that all of the victims were related to Nance in some way. Nance, who had previously faced criminal charges, including felony aggravated discharge of a firearm and battery according to court records, was wanted in connection with all the shootings.
Despite ongoing investigations, police had not disclosed any potential motive behind the tragic events. The killings left the community in shock and mourning, as authorities worked to piece together the sequence of events leading to the deadly shootings. The tragic outcome of the manhunt brought an end to the search for Nance, leaving behind grief and unanswered questions in the Joliet community.