San Antonio, Texas – A man suspected in the fatal shooting of eight people in the Joliet area was found dead by police as they closed in on him in Texas. Authorities believe the suspect, 23-year-old Romeo Nance, took his own life following a confrontation with law enforcement.
Joliet police officials were alerted by federal agents with the U.S. Marshals’ Office, who located Nance near Natalia, Texas, about 30 miles southwest of San Antonio on Monday evening.
Nance was wanted in connection with the discovery of seven people shot to death in two separate homes on West Acres Road in Joliet, as well as the killing of an eighth person in a shooting the day before in the township area.
According to Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans, the victims of the West Acres Road killings are believed to be related. He described the crime scene as one of the worst he has encountered in his 29 years as a policeman.
The authorities had connected the West Acre Road killings to the deadly shooting of Toyosi Bakare, 28, on Sunday in Joliet Township, and the shooting of a 42-year-old man on Davis Street in Joliet.
Nance, who had been released on bond from the Will County jail, had a history with law enforcement, having been charged in an unrelated shooting case. He was also awaiting trial on charges of aggravated discharge of a weapon, reckless discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault, and other charges in connection with a previous incident.
The Joliet Police Department, along with the Will County Sheriff’s Office and an FBI fugitive task force, had been actively working to apprehend Nance, urging the public to contact the police if they had any information about his whereabouts.
The shocking and tragic events had left the residents in the area frightened and unsure of their safety, with many expressing their concerns and fears about the suspect still being at large. As the investigation continued, the authorities were committed to bringing the person responsible to justice.
The incident had deeply affected the community, leaving many feeling shocked and uneasy about their safety, especially with children in the area. The ongoing investigation had garnered significant attention and concern from the local residents, as they grappled with the aftermath of the horrific events.
The authorities and law enforcement agencies involved in the case were dedicated to pursuing justice for the victims and their families, while also ensuring the safety and security of the community. The search for the suspect continued, with a strong emphasis on the collaboration between law enforcement and the public to bring closure to the tragic events.