JOLIET, Ill. — A 23-year-old man wanted in connection with the deaths of eight people in Joliet, a suburb of Chicago, has been found dead in Texas, authorities announced. Romeo Nance reportedly shot seven people at two different homes in Sunday’s events in Illinois, with additional random gunfire affecting two other men. It was revealed that Nance had familial ties to most of the victims.
The suspect was located by authorities in Texas on Monday night, leading to his death from a self-inflicted wound. The shootings that claimed seven lives occurred before Nance opened fire at two men in separate shootings on Sunday afternoon. The Will County Sheriff’s Office went to a home linked with Nance, noticing fresh blood and gunshots, and found two people dead. The victims inside included a 35-year-old man and 47-year-old woman, while across the street, a 38-year-old man and four women and girls aged 14, 16, 20, and 38 were found deceased.
Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans stated on Tuesday that Nance was related to the occupants of both residences. However, the nature of the relationship within the family is still being determined. The motive behind the shootings remains unclear, and authorities continue their investigation, recognizing that some questions may never be answered.
Nance was located by the U.S. Marshals near Natalia, Texas, where he tragically took his own life after being confronted by law enforcement. The suspect was found at a gasoline station in Natalia, according to reports. Joliet police announced that five people were located in one home and two others were discovered in another home within the same neighborhood. Additionally, police confirmed that the victims from both residences were related, and that Nance knew the victims.
The investigation into the tragic events in Joliet on Sunday and Monday remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to gather information and process evidence as the community seeks to make sense of the senseless killings. The Joliet Police Department remains vigilant and dedicated to understanding the events that unfolded and bringing closure to the affected families and community.