“Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans: 7 Deceased Individuals Found in Two Homes, Suspect Romeo Nance Dead by Suicide”

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Accident – Death – Obituary News : Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans: A Tragic Day in Joliet Ends with Suspect’s Suicide

Joliet, IL – On January 22, 2024, a series of tragic events unfolded in Joliet, leaving seven individuals dead and the community in shock. Officers from the Joliet Police Department responded to a call from the Will County Sheriff’s Office, who had discovered seven deceased individuals in two homes on West Acres Road.

Deputies from the Will County Sheriff’s Office had been conducting investigative work in response to a homicide that occurred in their jurisdiction on January 21, 2024. While on the scene, they uncovered evidence of a possible crime scene at a residence on 2212 West Acres Road. Inside, they found four females, aged 14, 16, 20, and 38, and one 31-year-old male, all deceased from gunshot wounds. Another possible crime scene was discovered at 2225 West Acres Road, where a 47-year-old female and a 35-year-old male were found dead from gunshot wounds.

The Joliet Police Department was immediately contacted to assist with the investigation. It is believed that the shootings on West Acres Road occurred during the midday hours of January 21, 2024, and are likely domestic in nature. Detectives quickly identified 23-year-old Romeo Nance as a suspect in these homicides, as well as a non-fatal shooting of a 42-year-old male victim in the 200 block of Davis Street in Joliet. Another fatal shooting was also being investigated by the Will County Sheriff’s Office, both of which took place on the evening of January 21, 2024.

Romeo Nance, who was considered armed and dangerous, was the subject of a massive manhunt. The Joliet Police Department, along with the assistance of the US Marshals and other Texas law enforcement partners, received information that Nance had been located near Natalia, Texas. Unfortunately, before law enforcement could apprehend him, Nance took his own life with a handgun following a confrontation with Texas law enforcement officials.

The identities of the victims and the exact manner of their deaths will be determined by the Will County Coroner’s Office. The Joliet Police Department expressed their gratitude to the Will County State’s Attorney Office, Will County Sheriff’s Office, the Will County Coroner’s Office, Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, and other out-of-state and federal law enforcement partners for their continued assistance in this ongoing investigation.

Deputy Chief Dan Jungles of the Will County Sheriff’s Office provided further details on the initial shooting that led to the discovery of the other crimes. On January 21, 2024, the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a shooting at the Pheasant Run Apartments in Unincorporated Joliet Township. Deputies found Toyosi Bakare, 28, critically injured with a gunshot wound to his head. Bakare was transported to St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet but later succumbed to his injuries.

Investigators determined that robbery was not the motive in Bakare’s shooting, as money was found in the area where he was attacked. Surveillance footage showed a red Toyota vehicle entering and exiting the apartment complex, matching the description of the suspect vehicle involved in another shooting in the City of Joliet.

By 8:00 PM on January 21, law enforcement had identified the suspect vehicle as a red Toyota Camry, registered to Joliet resident Romeo Nance. The vehicle was tracked using License Plate Reader cameras throughout Will County, but when it could not be located, the Will County Sheriff’s Office released information to the public for their safety.

Detectives went to a residence associated with Nance, but upon finding no response, they approached a neighboring house. There, they discovered blood on the door and bullet holes on the exterior. Inside, two deceased individuals were found. Five more deceased individuals were discovered in the neighboring residence.

The suspect, Romeo Nance, was eventually located by the US Marshals in Natalia, Texas. As law enforcement closed in on him, Nance shot himself with a firearm. The investigation is still in its early stages, and detectives are working to gather more information and process evidence.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office expressed their gratitude to the Joliet Police Department, FBI, US Marshals, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, and other agencies involved in the capture of Romeo Nance.

This tragic day in Joliet serves as a reminder of the importance of community cooperation and the dedication of law enforcement agencies in bringing justice to those affected by senseless acts of violence. The Joliet Police Department and the Will County Sheriff’s Office continue to work tirelessly to uncover the motives behind these crimes and bring closure to the victims’ families..

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