Tragedy Strikes Joliet: Man Kills Eight in Shooting Spree, Including Two Teenage Girls
In a shocking incident that has left the community of Joliet, Illinois, in a state of disbelief, a 23-year-old man named Romeo Nance went on a shooting spree over the weekend, resulting in the deaths of eight people, including two teenage girls. The incident has been described by Joliet police as a “reign of terror” that gripped the southwest suburban community.
The gruesome saga came to an end on Monday night when Nance died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being pursued by U.S. Marshals in Texas. While the motive behind Nance’s actions remains unclear, authorities believe that he shot and killed seven relatives before randomly targeting and killing another man. He also injured one other man during the shooting spree.
The victims have been identified as Christine Esters, 38, Tameka Nance, 47, William Esters II, 35, Joshua Nance, 31, and Alexandria Nance, 20. The identities of the two teenage girls, aged 16 and 14, have not been released.
Will County Coroner Laurie Summers confirmed that all the victims’ deaths were homicides, pending autopsy results to determine the exact cause and manner of death. Prosecutors had charged Nance with murder, but the case was closed following his death.
The tragic events unfolded when Nance killed five individuals in one residence and two in another home on West Acres Road. The victims were discovered by sheriff’s deputies on Monday. While it is believed that Nance was related to the seven victims, the exact nature of their relationship remains unknown.
In addition to targeting his relatives, Nance also shot two other men at random, killing one of them. The first shooting occurred at the Pheasant Run Apartments in unincorporated Joliet Township, where a 28-year-old man named Toyosi Bakare, originally from Nigeria, was fatally wounded. The second shooting took place on Davis Street, where a 42-year-old man was shot in the leg but survived.
Curtis Ellis, a neighbor who witnessed the Davis Street shooting, described the terrifying moment when he heard the gunshots and saw his neighbor injured. Ellis called 911 for help, grateful that he and his wife were not caught in the line of fire. He expressed his fear that the incident could have easily turned even more tragic.
Following the shootings, police were able to identify Nance as the suspect through surveillance footage from Ellis’ house, which captured the suspect’s red Toyota Camry. He was later located by law enforcement in Texas, where he ultimately took his own life after a confrontation with authorities.
The shocking events have left the Joliet community in a state of shock and fear. Residents, like Ruben Dunaven and Jennifer Burns, who live in the typically quiet and safe neighborhood where the victims were found, expressed their disbelief and concerns for their own safety. Dunaven stated that he had always considered the area to be one of the nicer parts of Joliet, making this tragedy all the more surprising.
Burns, who recently moved to Joliet from Chicago, shared her initial feelings of security in the area before the shooting occurred. However, the incident has shattered that sense of safety, leaving her and her husband scared for their children’s well-being.
As investigations into the motive behind Nance’s violent actions continue, the community of Joliet mourns the loss of eight innocent lives and grapples with the aftermath of this horrific event. The impact of this tragedy will undoubtedly be felt for years to come, as the community rallies together to support one another during this difficult time.