JOLIET, Illinois: Authorities Launch Manhunt for Armed and Dangerous Suspect Following Tragic Shooting Incident

JOLIET, Illinois – A manhunt is underway in Joliet, Illinois, after a devastating shooting incident left seven people dead from gunshot wounds in two homes on Monday. Local authorities have identified the suspect as 23-year-old Romeo Nance and are urging the public to consider him “armed and dangerous”.

According to officials from the Joliet Illinois Police and Will County Illinois Sherriff’s office, the tragic incident occurred on West Acres Road. Five victims were found in one home, while the other two were discovered in a nearby residence. The incident unfolded after officers were already investigating two shootings that had taken place the day before.

Deputy Chief of Special Operations for the Will County, Illinois, Sheriff’s office, Dan Jungles, revealed during a press conference that officers had been monitoring one of the homes as part of their investigation into the previous day’s shootings. When they received no response after knocking on the door, they decided to check the neighboring house, where they made a horrifying discovery.

Jungles explained that the officers had suspected a connection between the house they were monitoring and the victims. When they noticed blood at the neighboring residence, they made the decision to enter and search for any injured individuals. The victims were later confirmed to be related to one another.

Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans, who has been in law enforcement for 29 years, described this crime scene as the most horrific he has ever encountered. The investigation is ongoing, and no motive has been determined at this stage. However, Chief Evans believes that there may be a correlation between the shootings that occurred on Sunday and the tragic events that unfolded on Monday.

Authorities have established that the victims in the homes were acquainted with the suspect, Romeo Nance. Nance was a resident of the same block where the crimes took place. Police have identified a red Toyota Camry as the vehicle Nance is believed to be driving. Interestingly, the same vehicle was linked to the Sunday shootings in Joliet.

In relation to the prior incidents, the Will County Sheriff’s office responded to an emergency call at the Pheasant Run Apartments in Joliet township on Sunday. The call led them to the discovery of a 28-year-old individual, Toyosi Bakare, who had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Additionally, officers had responded to another shooting on Davis Street, where a 42-year-old man sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his leg.

Law enforcement agencies had placed the West Acres Road home under surveillance upon discovering the association between the Camry and the address. Their hope was to intercept the suspect if he returned to the residence.

The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Romeo Nance or the red Toyota Camry to contact local law enforcement immediately.