ROMEVILLE, Ill. – Two adults and two children were discovered murdered at a residence in suburban Romeoville over the weekend, prompting police to consider the attack as a targeted act rather than a random incident. Law enforcement officials released an update on Tuesday, stating that the shootings were not a result of a random act of violence, and assuring the public that there is no ongoing threat requiring a shelter-in-place order. The authorities have been meticulously collecting physical evidence at the scene for the past 36 hours, as well as examining surveillance footage obtained from various sources to aid in the investigation. Romeoville Police Deputy Chief Chris Burne has enlisted the assistance of the Will County Major Crimes Task Force to review the evidence and is actively seeking additional footage and eyewitness testimonies in order to piece together the sequence of events.
Citizens with any information about the case are urged to contact the Romeoville Police at 815-886-7219. Deputy Chief Burne vowed, “We will not rest until those responsible for this tragedy are brought to justice.” In the wake of the horrific incident, Romeoville Mayor John Noak has ensured that social services staff will be available to residents in need of assistance.
According to reports, the authorities were initially alerted to the residence in the 500 block of Concord Avenue at approximately 8:43 p.m. on Sunday, after concerns about the well-being of the family were raised. The investigation revealed that one family member failed to report to work at 6 a.m. on Sunday, and that individual did not respond to phone calls throughout the day, further heightening the concerns of their relatives. Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement officers discovered the bodies of four individuals who had sustained gunshot wounds. The shooting is believed to have transpired between 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday.
The adult victims have been identified as Alberto Rolon and Zoraida Bartolomei, according to the Romeoville police. The children, aged 7 and 9, have not been publicly identified, but they were both students at Robert C. Hill Elementary School. In response to their tragic deaths, the Valley View Community Unit School District 365U has enacted its crisis plan, deploying a specialized Crisis Intervention Team composed of trained professionals to assist students who require support.
While the police have not indicated if they have identified the shooter, they are actively investigating the incident as a murder. Deputy Chief Burne stated that they do not believe the suspect is among the victims, emphasizing that there is currently no immediate threat to the public. The motive behind the attack remains unknown, and authorities have chosen not to disclose further details to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
As the investigation into this tragic event continues, Romeoville residents are encouraged to come forward and provide any relevant information to aid law enforcement authorities. The focus remains on ensuring that those responsible for this appalling crime face justice and on supporting the community during this difficult time.
