On September 2, 2018, 17-year-old Romane D. Taylor Jr., an African American male from Chicago Heights, Illinois, was fatally shot in Homewood, Illinois, during an alleged robbery attempt. He was transported by police to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he succumbed to his injuries later that night. Romane was a student at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, known for his intelligence and playful nature. He had several nicknames, including 'Roro,' 'Yaya,' 'Lil Ro,' and 'Budda Man,' reflecting his outgoing and lovable personality. Following his death, the school provided counselors to support grieving students.
In the aftermath of the incident, Homewood police charged 19-year-old Johnny Johnson, also an African American male from Chicago Heights, with first-degree murder in connection with Romane's death. Authorities reported that Johnson and Romane had allegedly lured an acquaintance to the 19100 block of Loomis Avenue in Homewood with the intent to commit a robbery. During the attempted robbery, a confrontation ensued, leading to Romane being shot in the stomach by the intended victim, an unnamed juvenile. Although Johnson did not fire the fatal shot, he was charged under the felony murder rule, which allows for a murder charge if someone is killed during the commission of a forcible felony.
At an arraignment hearing on October 10, 2018, Judge Michele Pitman announced a grand jury indictment charging Johnson with first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery related to the events that led to Romane's death. Johnson pleaded not guilty to the charges and remained in custody with a $500,000 bond. His attorney indicated plans to seek a bond review in subsequent court appearances. Due to the confidentiality of juvenile records, it is unclear whether the unnamed juvenile who fired the shot faced any legal consequences.
