JOLIET, Ill. — A manhunt is underway in Joliet, Illinois, after seven people were found shot and killed in two separate homes on Monday afternoon. The police believe that a fatal shooting on Sunday is connected to the mass-casualty incident.
Joliet police Chief Bill Evans announced at a news conference that officers were notified by the Will County Sheriff’s office about several people found dead in two separate houses in the 2200 block of West Acres Road, near Madison Street.
Responding officers discovered a total of seven people in two houses who had all been shot dead. The houses where the bodies were found are across the street from each other. The scene is just blocks away from the intersection of Jefferson Street and Larkin Avenue, and close to Ascension St. Joseph Hospital and Joliet West High School.
Police are looking for 23-year-old Romeo Nance, who is believed to be driving a red Toyota Camry with an Illinois license plate Q730412. Nance is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds.
Officials revealed that Nance knew the victims found in the two houses, and it is believed they are all related. Nance’s prior arrest records indicated that he listed an address on Acres Road as his home address when he was arrested for aggravated discharge of a weapon involving a woman. Court records indicate Nance was out on bond in connection with that 2023 shooting case and is still awaiting trial.
At the same time, a red Toyota Camry with the same license plate as the one referenced in connection with the Monday discovery was also identified as being involved in two shootings on Sunday – one of which left a man dead.
The Will County Sheriff’s office had been investigating the deadly Sunday shooting since it happened – and had set up a surveillance area on Acres Road, where the registered owner of the car lived.
“It’s frightening that this is so close to home. I literally live like probably four houses down, and I have a young daughter, and it’s crazy,” said a neighbor, Laura Bane, who was disturbed by the violence and the random nature of the crimes.
Police are warning that Nance should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees Nance should call the police immediately.