Joliet, Illinois – Authorities have charged Jon W. Hansen, the alleged accomplice of the shooter responsible for the tragic mass shooting that took the lives of eight individuals, including seven family members earlier this year. Will County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday that Hansen, 24, faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated battery with a firearm for his involvement in the January rampage in Joliet, a suburb of Chicago.
The incident unfolded on January 21 when law enforcement responded to a shooting at Pheasant Run Apartments in Joliet Township where they discovered Toyosi Bakare, 28, with a fatal gunshot wound. Subsequent investigations linked the same suspect vehicle, a red Toyota Camry driven by Romeo Nance, to multiple crime scenes. Authorities found two deceased individuals at one location and five more at another where Nance’s family resided.
Nance managed to evade capture, prompting a manhunt that ended in his suicide after being cornered by authorities in Texas. During the investigation, Hansen admitted to being present during some of the shootings, including the fatal attack on Bakare and another non-fatal shooting. Hansen disclosed that he disposed of the weapon used in the latter incident, which was later recovered from a nearby river. He was apprehended by authorities and is currently held without bond at the Will County Adult Detention Center.
The victims of the shooting spree were identified as Nance’s family members, including his mother, aunt, uncle, brother, and sisters. The devastating loss of these lives has left a profound impact on the community, prompting deeper reflection on the underlying factors that may have contributed to such a tragic event. As the investigation continues, authorities are working tirelessly to bring justice to the victims and their families, seeking closure and accountability for the senseless violence that occurred.