On January 21, 2024, a series of tragic events unfolded in Joliet and Preston Heights, Illinois, resulting in the deaths of several individuals, including 16-year-old Alonnah Nance. Alonnah was one of the victims of a mass shooting perpetrated by Romeo Alexander Nance, a 23-year-old man who was related to many of the victims.
Alonnah Nance was found dead along with several other family members in a house located at 2212 West Acres Road in Joliet.
The other victims in this house included her mother's sister, Christine Esters, 38; her brother, Joshua Nance, 31; her sister, Alexandria Nance, 20; and another sister, Angel Nance, 14. These individuals were all fatally shot by Romeo Nance, who was Alonnah's brother.
The shootings at the West Acres Road residences were part of a larger spree that began earlier in the day. Romeo Nance had previously shot a 42-year-old man in the leg in the 200 block of Davis Street in Joliet and then killed 28-year-old Toyosi Bakare at the Pheasant Run Apartments complex in unincorporated Joliet Township. After the shootings at the family homes, Nance fled the area, eventually traveling to Texas where he attempted to evade authorities by stealing and replacing his vehicle's license plates.
Romeo Nance's actions were brought to an end on January 22, 2024, when he was confronted by U.S. Marshals at a gas station near Natalia, Texas. During this confrontation, Nance fatally shot himself with a handgun.
The community was deeply affected by these events, with many expressing shock and grief over the senseless killings. Alonnah Nance, in particular, was remembered as a current junior at Joliet West High School, and her death, along with that of her family members, was mourned by the community in a vigil held to honor the victims.
