Motive Unknown in Joliet Shooting Spree as Suspected Gunman Found Dead in Texas
The city of Joliet, Illinois, is reeling from a tragic shooting spree that left eight people dead. The suspected gunman, 23-year-old Romeo Nance, was found dead by apparent suicide in Texas on Monday night. As investigators try to piece together the events leading up to the shooting, they are left with more questions than answers.
“We can’t get inside his head. We just don’t have any clue as to why he did what he did,” said Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans. The motive behind Nance’s actions remains unknown, leaving the community shocked and searching for answers.
The shooting spree is believed to have started at two neighboring homes on West Acres Road. Although the seven victims found at the scene were not discovered until Monday morning, it is believed that the shootings occurred on Sunday. Five people were found dead in one house, including two girls aged 14 and 16, two women aged 20 and 38, and a 31-year-old man. Two more victims, a 35-year-old man, and a 47-year-old woman were found dead in the other house.
Nance was related to most, if not all, of the victims, although the exact relationships are still unclear. Chief Evans stated that they are still sorting through the details to understand the connections between Nance and the victims.
The tragedy continued to unfold as Nance targeted another victim in a separate incident. Surveillance video captured Nance driving a red Toyota Camry and engaging in a confrontation with a man taking out groceries. Moments later, Nance fired nine shots at the man, who miraculously survived despite being hit in the leg.
“It was nine gunshots,” said neighbor Curtis Ellis. “That’s a whole clip that he was trying to load in this guy – and lucky that he just didn’t hit a vital organ.”
Shortly after this incident, Nance shot and killed 28-year-old Toyosi Bakare at the Pheasant Run Apartments complex. Bakare, originally from Nigeria, had gone out to buy cigarettes when he was fatally wounded. Investigators discovered that money was found near Bakare’s body, suggesting that robbery was not the motive.
As authorities searched for Nance, they learned that he had traveled to Texas. In an attempt to throw off investigators, Nance stole license plates from another vehicle and affixed them to his car. With the assistance of federal authorities and local law enforcement in Texas, a helicopter located Nance’s car on Interstate 35. As he crossed county lines, Nance eventually pulled into a gas station in Natalia, Texas.
U.S. Marshals followed Nance as he fled from his vehicle and ran toward a gas station. Officers and federal agents pursued him, leading to a confrontation where Nance took his own life. The Medina County Sheriff, Randy Brown, described the scene as Nance being “basically cornered” before ending his own life.
Although Nance’s reign of terror has come to an end, the investigation into the Joliet shooting spree continues. It is unclear whether there is any link between the victims on West Acres Road and the other two shootings. Chief Evans acknowledged that they may never know the truth or the motives behind these senseless killings.
As the community grapples with this tragedy, Joliet and Will County authorities are calling for unity and healing. Chief Evans urged the community to come together and support one another during this difficult time.
The motive behind Romeo Nance’s shooting spree may remain unknown, but the impact it has had on the city of Joliet is undeniable. The loss of eight lives has left a lasting mark on the community, prompting a collective effort to heal and move forward.