Kimiki Truss, a 43-year-old African American woman from Joliet, IL, tragically died on May 27, 2019. The incident occurred at her residence in the Liberty Meadows housing development. According to the Will County Coroner's Office, Kimiki Truss succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at Silver Cross Hospital around 5 a.m. on Memorial Day.
The events leading to her death were part of a domestic battery incident that escalated into a hostage situation.
Joliet police were called to the scene around 4:10 a.m. after receiving reports of a domestic battery in progress. Upon arrival, officers noticed smoke and flames coming from the house and forced entry after hearing a commotion inside. Inside, they found Nakia Smith, a 44-year-old African American man, holding Kimiki Truss hostage. Smith fired at the officers, prompting them to return fire. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene, also from multiple gunshot wounds.
The investigation revealed that Kimiki Truss and Nakia Smith had been in a long-term relationship that had ended, and Truss had a new boyfriend. The exact motive behind Smith's actions remains unclear, but it was noted that he shot Truss during the incident. The Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force took over the investigation, and ballistics reports were awaited to determine the specifics of the gunfire exchange.
No criminal history was found for either Kimiki Truss or Nakia Smith, and there were no orders of protection involving the couple. The tragic event left the community in shock, as Liberty Meadows was known for drawing few calls for police service. The case highlights the severe consequences of domestic violence and the critical role of law enforcement in responding to such emergencies.
