JOLIET, Illinois – Tragedy struck the Joliet area on Sunday and Monday when eight people were shot to death and a ninth was wounded. Police are on the hunt for the suspect believed to be responsible for these heinous crimes.
The Joliet police found multiple deceased individuals with gunshot wounds in two homes in the 2200 block of West Acres Road. Joliet Chief of Police Bill Evans described it as the worst crime scene he has ever been associated with in his 29-year career.
The suspect, Romeo Nance, is considered armed and dangerous and is related to the victims. Investigators have not released the victims’ ages, genders, or relationships to each other.
The Will County Sheriff’s Office has been involved in staking out the scene and identified Nance’s vehicle as being connected to the shooting in unincorporated Joliet Township. After locating Nance’s last-known address, officers found multiple victims at two separate homes on West Acres Avenue.
Nance, 23, is believed to be driving a red Toyota Camry with Illinois license plate Q730412. Court records suggest Nance was already facing charges related to gun violence from a previous arrest in January 2023.
The investigation began when deputies found a man with a gunshot wound to his head at the Pheasant Run Apartments in unincorporated Joliet Township on Sunday. Another shooting occurred about 10 minutes earlier in Joliet, where a 42-year-old man was found shot in the leg. The incidents appear to be random, and the suspect should be considered extremely dangerous.
Throughout this tragic situation, police and sheriff’s officials have taken steps to ensure public safety, closing off roads and establishing a command post. Conducting an active homicide investigation, they urge residents to report any sightings of the suspect or his vehicle to 911 immediately.
The deeply distressing nature of these events is compounded by the fact that the victims were simply going about their lives, unaware of the danger that would soon befall them. As the investigation continues, the hope is for swift justice and healing for the community impacted by these senseless acts of violence.