Illinois Family Murder Suspect Shot Dead in Oklahoma
A dramatic turn of events unfolded in the investigation of the shooting deaths of an Illinois family of four, as a person connected to a vehicle believed to be linked to the crime died in a police pursuit in Oklahoma, per CNN.
The suspected murderer, who was behind the wheel of the vehicle with the license plate connected to the Illinois family's shooting, crashed the vehicle during a police chase in Catoosa, Oklahoma.
The vehicle subsequently caught fire, and authorities discovered the male suspect dead in the driver's seat with a gunshot wound, according to Chris Burne, deputy chief of police in Romeoville, Illinois.
A female passenger in the vehicle also had a gunshot wound, as reported by Burne.
The license plate of the vehicle was identified as being linked to a suspect in the shooting deaths of the Illinois family in Romeoville, located around 30 miles southwest of Chicago.
While police believe they have a motive for the killings, this information has not been publicly disclosed.
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Illinois Murder Suspects Identified
Romeoville police identified two persons of interest in the case on Wednesday. Nathaniel Huey Jr., 31, of Streamwood, and a woman with a connection to Huey were named during a press conference, according to ABC7.
The woman was reported missing from Streamwood on Tuesday night by her family.
On Wednesday morning, Catoosa, Oklahoma authorities were alerted to a vehicle matching the description and license plate of the suspect's vehicle.
During an attempted traffic stop, the vehicle fled and ultimately crashed, leading to a fiery incident. Officers reportedly heard two gunshots during the ordeal.
The female passenger in the vehicle, identified as Ermalinda Palomo, was found with a gunshot wound.
She was transported to a hospital in critical condition and later succumbed to her injuries, according to an attorney representing her family.
Neighbors indicated that Palomo had lived with Huey in Streamwood for approximately six years.
The Illinois Family Murder
The tragic events in Illinois began with a well-being check at the family's home on Concord Avenue.
Authorities were alerted when one family member failed to show up for work, and they were unable to reach them throughout the day, causing concern among relatives, NBC Chicago reported.
Upon entering the residence, officers discovered the bodies of four individuals, two adults and two children, all with gunshot wounds.
The adult victims were identified as Alberto Rolon and Zoraida Bartolomei, while the children, aged 7 and 9, remain unnamed.
Both children were students at Robert C. Hill Elementary School, according to the Valley View Community Unit School District 365U.
Authorities determined that the shootings took place between 9 PM Saturday and 5 AM Sunday, and they have since clarified that the incident was not a random act, with no ongoing threat to the public.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: Romeoville murders: Suspects in Romeoville family's murder found shot in Oklahoma - From NBC Chicago
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