A widespread manhunt, stretching over 1,200 miles, concluded with the discovery of 23-year-old Romeo Nance, a suspect in a string of fatal shootings in Joliet, Illinois, deceased in Natalia, Texas.
According to late Monday, January 22, 2024, police reports, Nance, a native of Joliet, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after an encounter with U.S. Marshals near San Antonio.
The chain of events started around 4:17 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, on the 200 block of Davis Street in Joliet, a suburb of Chicago. A 42-year-old male was shot in the leg, suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
Shortly thereafter, sheriff’s deputies found 28-year-old Toyosi Bakare in a rural area of Joliet Township at the Pheasant Run apartment complex, dead from a gunshot wound to the head.
Both incidents were linked to a red Toyota Camry, subsequently tied to Nance.
The following day, on Monday, January 22, authorities discovered seven fatal victims in two homes on West Acres Road in Joliet. Five bodies were found in one home and two in another.
Joliet Chief of Police Bill Evans stated that Nance was related to most of the victims, who ranged in age from teenagers to older adults.
In the first house on West Acres Rd., which was Nance’s last known address, the authorities located two teenage girls, aged 14 and 16; two adult women, 20-year-old Alexandria Nance and 38-year-old Christine Esters; and 31-year-old Joshua Nance.
Across the street on West Acres Rd., two additional victims were found: 35-year-old William Esters II and 47-year-old Tameka Nance.
At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Joliet authorities were notified by U.S. Marshals that Nance had been located in the area of Natalia, Texas. During an interaction with law enforcement, Nance ended his own life with a handgun. The town of Natalia is located around 30 miles southwest of San Antonio.
Reflecting on his nearly 30 years of service, Police Chief Evans described these crime scenes as probably the worst he had encountered.
Upon examining Nance’s criminal history, it was found that he had previously been arrested for a grave offense involving a woman and discharging a weapon. Court records show that Nance was out on bail related to the shooting incident in 2023 and was yet to stand trial.
When asked about any reports of domestic disturbances at the West Acres Road residences, Chief Evans chose not to confirm or deny. He only stated that Nance had a substantial criminal record and was known to the police.
