One year later, Joliet still feels ‘unimaginable loss’ from mass shooting of family

The “unimaginable loss” of a Joliet family who were killed in a mass shooting one year ago continues to be “felt deeply within our department and across our community,” said Joliet’s police chief.

Tuesday marks the one-year anniversary of the shooting in the 2200 block of West Acres Road that claimed the lives of Tameaka Nance, 47, William Esters II, 35, Christine Esters, 38, Joshua Nance, 31, Alexandria Nance, 20, Alonnah Nance, 16 and Angelique Nance, 14.

Toyosi Bakare, 28, of Joliet Township, was killed in an separate shooting outside Pheasant Run Apartments. Mario Guerrero, 43, of Joliet, managed to survive after he was wounded in yet another shooting that occurred in the city.

In a statement, Joliet Police Chief William Evans said that as the city approaches the one-year anniversary of the tragedy, “our hearts remain heavy.”

“Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and friends who continue to mourn their loved ones and bear the pain of this unimaginable loss. The impact of this event continues to be felt deeply within our department and across our community,” Evans said.

The mass shooting was investigated by the Joliet Police Department and the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

“Joliet residents responded to the family in the only way we know how: with prayers and unwavering support. I pray that we never experience an incident like this again.”

—  Terry D'Arcy, mayor of Joliet

Their investigation pointed to Romeo Alexander Nance, 23, of Joliet, as the man responsible for killing his seven family members and Bakare, as well injuring Guerrero in the incident.

Romeo Nance fled to Texas following the shooting spree and with the intention of crossing over into Mexico. But he died by suicide following a confrontation with law enforcement in Texas, police said.

“It rocked the entire Joliet area and the ripples were felt all the way to Texas,” said Will County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Dan Jungles.

Jungles and Joliet Police Sgt. Dwayne English said the motive behind the killings will never been known.

“Because all of those answers died when Mr. Nance decided to take his own life,” Jungles said.

Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy said the incident affected not only the Esters-Nance family but “also our entire community.”

“When we hear about such tragedies in other parts of the country, we never imagine it could happen close to home. Joliet residents responded to the family in the only way we know how: with prayers and unwavering support. I pray that we never experience an incident like this again,” D’Arcy said.

Last year, D’Arcy had asked residents and businesses in the city to help raise funds to cover funeral expenses for the Esters-Nance family.

Evans said the “senseless act of violence” not only devastated the victims' families but also left a “profound mark on the men and women of the Joliet Police Department who responded with compassion and professionalism in the face of such tragedy.”

“Moments like these remind us of the lasting toll violence takes on everyone who calls Joliet home. On behalf of the Joliet Police Department, I want to reaffirm our deepest condolences to all those affected by this horrific crime,” Evans said.

“Moments like these remind us of the lasting toll violence takes on everyone who calls Joliet home. ”

—  Bill Evans, Joliet police chief

A community vigil was held for the family last year in the wake of the shootings.

Tameaka Nance was a remembered as a registered nurse who regularly attended church.

Christine Esters was a correctional officer at the Joliet Treatment Center and following in the footsteps of her parents, who were correctional officers at Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill.

William Esters worked as a machinist and a security guard. A friend and co-worker of William Esters at the vigil had said he always “made sure everybody was safe.”

Alonnah Nance and Angelique Nance were remembered by a local pastor as “good young ladies” who were “very talented.” Alexandria Nance, 20, was a student at Joliet Junior College.

Joshua Nance was remembered in his obituary as “first and foremost, a family man.”

Bakare moved from Nigeria to Illinois about three years before the shooting, Jungles said. He had lived at Pheasant Run Apartments since early 2023, he said.

Bakare worked for Door Dash full time and part time as an information technologist for a local company, Jungles said.

Bakare was married but he did not have any children with his wife, he said.

Two cases connected to the incident remain ongoing this year at the Will County Courthouse in Joliet.

Jon Hansen, 25, of Shorewood, is facing charges holding him accountable for the first-degree murder of Bakare and attempted murder of Guerrero.

Kyleigh Cleveland-Singleton, 22, of Bolingbrook, the girlfriend of Romeo Nance, has been charged with obstructing justice by preventing officers from apprehending him.